**ANNOUNCEMENT** Iceland trek postponed
S18 GBH with intent – No Further Action – No Charges brought – 2023
Andy was instructed on behalf of his client who was accused of causing GBH with intent. The evidence against his client, at first sight, appeared on the face of it to be strong. He came to Police attention as a result of a video that had gone viral on social media of a violent exchange between a number of males which saw Andy’s client take a run up and deploy what was described as a penalty kick towards a male’s head as he was lying prone and defenceless on the floor. The blow knocked the male unconscious.
A defence of self-defence was put forward by his client. Andy was able to obtain evidence and witness details that completely altered the trajectory of the investigation and provide strong evidence to support the client’s contention that the force used by him was necessary, reasonable and proportionate and was not in fact excessive.
Witnesses were identified who were able to explain the clients reasons for going to the scene in the first place –namely that he was frantically trying to find his partner and her friends who had been already been subject to assault themselves by the opposing group, Witnesses were identified that could confirm the opposing group had been seen in possession of lethal weapons and that our client was aware at the time they were in possession of weapons and was fearful and that he would be subjected to attack. Medical evidence was also obtained with regards to the life changing injuries sustained by our client after kicking the male, further supporting his reasonable belief that he was at the point of kicking the male, in a life-or-death situation and that significant force was required by him to defend himself from serious injury, which he nonetheless did later sustain despite his actions.
As a result of the pro-active defence investigation and deployment of this and other evidence including written statements, no further action was taken against our client and the matter was closed without the requirement for Court proceedings.