Possible Assault charge - outcome? defences?

[biruwe1]

Me and my friend were on our way back from a night out standing by the bus stop. A bottle shattered near us that appeared to come from the other side of the road where a group of youths were gathered. We heard a few jibes aimed at us and we crossed the road and found ourselves confronted with these youths, about 18 years old.. there were roughly 5 of them.

My friend struck one of them across the face and it later turned out the lad had dislocated his jaw.. although he did not go to hospital for a couple of days. My friend now might face charges for assault.

What might these charges be, and would there be any defences available to him? He has no previous criminal record and is a good character. Thanks in advance

[bednobs]

he needs to take proper legal advice to obtain the best possible outcome for him

[Kingbushido]

Possible offences could be battery, or Affray.

he could use the defence of a "pre-emptive strike" which is covered by the broader defence of "self defence".

Some good news is that the CPS do not prosecute in cases where citizens act in their self defence aslong as their actions are reasonable. For instance, was it possible to run away from the scene rather than fight?