... where 3 lads was shouting stuff at me and my boyfriend asked them to stop and they responded with what are you going to do about it it seemed as though one lad edged towards him and he ran to the table to pick up a pool cue and he broke ones arm and hurt one in the rib with 2 swings an didn’t hit again they all spoke after it and shook hands and apologized and then the police came months later and he’s been to court and they are considering putting it up to a section 18 my boyfriend has a previous record of section 20 and did a suspended sentence and did tag and community service we now have a baby on the way and he doesn’t even go out anymore, the lads are trying To say it’s a unprovoked attack and he did it for nothing so he’s gone not guilty to that so it’s up to the judges of what they think do you think he’ll get a section 18 or 20? Or even get guilty at all? And how long would he do in jail?
Responses (1)
Grievously Bodily Harm, Section 18 and Section 20 Assault, means 'really serious bodily harm'.
To be found guilty of a section 18 GBH offence the defendant must have had intent to cause grievous bodily harm. Section 18 assaults are always dealt with by the Crown Court and can carry a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.
If the attacker only intended to cause 'some harm or pain' rather than 'really serious bodily harm', the offence is classed as a section 20 assault also known as 'wounding without intent'. Section 20 still falls under the GBH section but is a less serious offence than a section 18 GBH assault. A section 20 assault can be tried in either the Magistrates' Court or the Crown Court and carries a maximum sentence of 5 years imprisonment.
No sorry, I don’t know. But they will take into account his previous conviction and since it was also a section 20 it’s probably not looking too good for him. They will look at all the evidence of what happened and come up with a decision. He should really consider anger management courses or such.
Thankyou very much for your response
Thankyou it is going to crown court in July but he’s going not guilty to a unprovoked attack and they need to decide whether he gets a section 18 or 20, do you have any idea what you think he’d be more likely to get for what he’s done?