S18 And S20 Charges Brought Concurently

[nextdime]

Could S18 and S20 be brought to an individual one after the other?

[fiction-factory]

I assume you mean Assault Charges rather than charges under the Landlord&Tenant Act

[New Judge]

For two different incidents, yes.

For the same incident the more serious (S18) is often charged with S20 as a backup for a "plea bargain".

More info required if you need a fuller answer.

[RATTER15]

I think more details will be required for anybody to answer this.

[fiction-factory]

Is 'concurrently' different though to 'one after the other'?

[RATTER15]

Sorry, cross posted!

[nextdime]

I was charged with S18 GBH and turned up to court only to hear that they are now adding S18 charges on to and only had like 20 minutes short of chat with a barrister...

- I was assaulted by 2 Russian Latvians in a shared bedsit property after I notified the landlord about their heavy drugs usage. But wounding took place on me and one of the latvian chap... they called police first and I was done! A weapon was recovered but they denied it!
- I suffered broken ribs, buzzing ears not to mention the depression that comes after. I, being a legal tenant was forced to be bailed out of the property and one of the Latvian chap (with no humble abode) was left free to enjoy my properties...

[EDDIE51]

You need a solicitor urgently. A S18 is always a jail sentence.

[nextdime]

I was charged with S18 GBH and turned up to court only to hear that they are now adding S20 charges - that's what I meant!

[Cloverjo]

I thought you had to have time to prepare answers to any questions the opposition might ask you in court.
I'm surprised they could throw in another charge at the last hour.
I'm no legal expert though. Perhaps New Judge will be along again later.

[fiction-factory]

So who assaulted the Latvian chap that was injured? Was that you defending yourself or the other Russian who attacked both of you?

[EDDIE51]

See New judge's answer at 10.00am.
Yon really need a solicitor, it looks like they are offering you a chance to have the charge dropped to the less serious S20 in return for a guilty plea.
Only a solicitor who has had a chance to see the full case can advise you if it's best to accept the S20 by pleading guilty or go for a full trial by pleading not guilty. You have only given very brief details and of course we only have your side of the story.