Common Assault by beating charge

[albion96]

I regret to say I was involved in a disagreement with my girlfriend during a night out with friends. . We had both been drinking and I had my arm around her (shoulder/back area) but was not intending to be aggressive. My girlfriend was not struggling and I was simply attempting to show her a message on my mobile phone. Then a police van arrived on the scene (nobody had called or directed them towards us) and I was dragged away, pinned down and put in handcuffs. I had cuts to my arms and a lump on my head following this.

I could hear my girlfriend explaining to the police that she was a probation officer and I had done nothing wrong. According to my girlfriend they then tried to convince her it was domestic violence. I could hear her disagreeing with this when I was moved to another police vehicle, again being handled aggressively. From here I began complaining and suggesting I would make an offical complaint. I was then threatened with Mace.

When I arrived at the station I spoke to the duty solicitor. Two of the arresting officers claimed they saw me throttling my girlfriend with both hands and that she had asked them to arrest me for domestic violence before changing her mind. They also said I had her pinned down on her back. My girlfriend did not give a statement and actually left the scene as she feared being arrested herself for disputing my arrest. She had no injury and continued with her night out with mutual friends. In interview I explained the situation as above. My girlfriend was then contacted by the interviewing officer and gave the same account. We had not spoken at this point as I deliberately did not use my phone call to avoid any claims of collaboration. I was eventually charged with Common Assault by beating. I do not qualify for legal aid and was wondering if anyone can make any recommendations? I have no prior charges. Could my GF submitting a statement to the CPS help?

[sara3]

has your girlfriend not advised you? she should have a good grasp of the law..

[albion96]

Yes she does have a good grasp of these matters. She tells me she is bemused by the Police statements and the decision to charge me, especially as the police evidence does not tally with her version of events. As a probation officer it's making her doubt her own caseloads. She has not given a statement against me so it seems the police have taken advantage of this to provide a grossly exagerrated version of events. Other than pleading not guilty and having the stress and expense of going to trial what options do we have?

[sara3]

if you get a summons you have no choice but to go to court.

I can't see what evidence they would produce against you. does she have any bruising? is there cctv evidence?

[albion96]

No injuries, she took a series of photo's immediately the next day to prove this. She also has two witnesses to her phone coversation with the interviewing officer where she gave her version of events.