Section 20 Football Tackle

[Football123abc]

Hello. My husband was playing football and tackled somebody, he was shoulder to shoulder and because he was travelling faster than the other guy his opponent ended up falling and injuring his wrists. About 6 months later my husband is informed that criminal charges will be taking place and was called into the station to make a statement. He did this and the police officer told him it would be likely be the last he would hear about it. Now all of a sudden my husband is being charged with section 20! What is he likely outcome? At the time the police took statements from 4 of the opponents froends but only only 1 from my husbands team. Doesn't seem fair and seems a bit extreme for a tackle even if they guy did suffer a broken bone. Has anyone experienced anything similar? It's worrying with three young children including a newborn

[Togo]

Bit strange. Was your husband booked or penalised by the referee? Was the game a properly regulated and part of an FA league set up with officials present or just a kick about amongst pals.

[Togo]

Also when you say section 20, is this under the Public Order Act?

[Football123abc]

Section 20gbh! The opponent has said my husband shoved him into a wall. Mybhusband says he was shoulder to shoulder and was tackling and travelling at speed and just unfortunate they were heading towards a wall at the time. It was an FA regulated indoor 5 a side game.

[Football123abc]

Is going to
Crown court and we just cannot believe it. Have no idea about costs either! Very worrying

[Togo]

If your husband is being charged or cautioned under the Public Order Act for assault under section 20, he may even have a charge Of Grievious Bodily Harm to face. This sounds somewhat heavy handed to me and I would recommend that you get proper legal advice. A quick search shows that the max sentence is 5 years imprisonment but there are various clauses and recommendations regarding sporting events and the like. Methinks that the opponent who was injured is pushing for a conviction with the hope of a compensation claim, and I would definitely get some advice. You could try the Citizens Advice Bureau for free advice and hope that Barmaid pops up to give you some advice here on the Bank.

[Togo]

Ok Football 123, just seen your 9.34 & 9.36 posts. They were not there when I started posting. Don't worry take action and get some advice.

[Football123abc]

Yes it's gbh section 20! We are just in shock it has come so far and we also believe it is an attempt to get compensation. We have three children and rely solely on my husbands income as I'm on maternity leave . Such a cloud of worry hanging over us

[Football123abc]

If found not guilty will we still have massive expenses to pay to defend him etc ? We are clueless when it comes to things like this. Solicitors are so expensive!

[Togo]

As I said Football123 speak to Citizens Advice asap you will get good free advice there and a recommendation as to whether you are entitled to legal aid etc.

[Peter Pedant]

yes the queens writ runs on a football field
and yes you need advice

and no the cost of defending will NOT outweigh the cost of a conviction thro trying to Do It Yourself

It will depend on your lawyer arguing a game is most risks
and his lawyer ( Crown ) will argue the queen's writ runs on a football field and no he didnt accept the risk of having the crap kicked out of him.

go for a jury trial
jurors are more likely to play footie or have seen one in the last ten years than a judge

on such a serious charge and its consequences of (unfair,undeserved) conviction - you need to lay out on a lawyer

I am not sure if you should wait until he is charged
I t hink a lwyer at this stage would wait and see

[Football123abc]

From a brief calculation online I don't think we are. It's such a worry having just given birth too. Don't even know how long we have to wait for trial

[Peter Pedant]

dont think we are..... what

from your script- he had been charged
and so you need a lawyer

but you really knew that - didnt you ?

[Football123abc]

Don't think we are entitle to legal aid is what I meant

[Zacs-Master]

Some interesting reading on Regina v Brown 1994 here:

http://obiterj.blogspot.co.uk/2013/04/when-contact-in-sport-becomes-criminal.html

[JenColDav]

This sounds almost identical to what we experienced and I was in the same situation.
2 children and also pregnant. If I can be of any help then just give me a shout.
Try not to worry though.

[Football123abc]

Yes I thought as much when I read your story. How did your turn out if you don't mind me asking ?