Too scared to press charges after being beaten up! What can be done?

Question

My mate was walking through the park on his own the other day when three lads (Who had obviously been drinking) circled him. One punched him, which flung him too the floor, and then kicked him when he was down. They then ran off. He's actually got a broken nose and reported it to the police. They then found the guy who hit him and kept him in prison over night. Then my mate told the police he didnt want to press charges because the police told him the most he'd get was a fine and my mate was worried he and his mates would find him and hurt him again. I think this is ridiculous and cant believe this guy is just going to get away with it. Is there any way that justice can be served (and no i dont want stupid answers like "smack him yourself")? can he not be put on a restraining order or anything?
Thanks for your help!
J

Answer 1

"Is there any way that justice can be served?" - Yes, he can press charges. If they get off it is his fault and his alone. His chances of getting a restraining order go up significantly if he gets a conviction or is participating in the prosecution. If he does not press charges he deserves the beating he took.

Answer 2

Unfortunately what happened to your friend is another example of how lame the British justice system actually is. In US for example the guy who attacked your friend could potentially risk a jail sentence for aggravated assault, whilst GBH carries a slap on a wrist in UK. It's a joke ain't it??
In Spain for example he could have been held in detention without trial until the trial was ready to go ahead if your friend decided to press charges. In UK he gets a fine and a slap on a wrist.

And to be honest with you Britain is the only place within the western Europe where the victim gets worse treatment than the offender.

I think you should advise your friend to put it down to experience and let it go. No point pressing charges if the guy will just walk. To be honest with you, I think your friend is smart enough to realise that anyway. As lame as it sounds, this is the only way to go about it in this case.

And what even more ironic, you either have to be hospitalised or dead before the police will take anything seriously.

Answer 3

So this friend is just going to let them get away with it....What do you think will happen if they see him again anyway they will see him as easy pickings as he has not prosecuted the first time. The whole issue is that if prosecuted he would be able to get an injunction if they ever approached him again and it would seriously impact if a previous prosecution had been actioned.....However the police officer should not have made the comment that he did as it is up to the courts to decide a sentence not him.....he probably did not want to do the paperwork........

Answer 4

Joel tell your friend he has GOT to press charges.
These guys should not be allowed to get away with it.
He could get an injunction (or restraning order) to keep
them away from him.
At the very least they will have a police record and at
least that is some justice.
(I thought it was the judge that gave the sentence - not the police) Good Luck to your friend - and the for being one. Minxy.

Answer 5

Probably not a lot he can do unless he presses charges we have too many good solicitors proving their worth by been able to get these sort of people lenient sentences.....the justice system in the UK should change it's name to the joke system because thats all it is now

Answer 6

now you know what is wrong with this country. everyone has become spineless and afraid to do the right thing. so the thugs run the land. if you dont stop it then all you can do is go home and lick your wounds. then when you go out put a sign on that says im easy and a safe target.

i dont mean to be flippent but this is all it amounts to. we should stand up say know and see justice done. if we dont we loose and keep looseing.

Answer 7

I thought that a camera was on every corner where you are. In any case if your mate told the cops that he didn't want to press charges what are you on about then. Criminals get away because we allow them to intimidate us, and as long as this happens, then so long will they do what they are doing.

Answer 8

i shall tell you why nobody on my estate messes with me-a few years ago some idiots had a go at me (3 of them)-now excusion orders etc are all very good-but the tosser is still out on the streets-still waiting to get drunk-and still waiting for your freind to walk past them again-so i did some homework and went round to the idiots house (the look on his face when he saw me at the door had to be seen to be beleived-he went pure white. he knew i wasn't there for tea and biccies!!!)-i won't go into details-but he didn't bother me again and neither did his mates-in fact they give me a wide berth if they see me. i live in peace-but if anybody bothers me i am not afraid to take matters into my own hands-you cannot rely on the law to protect you anymore. i have no pride in my actions-but i do feel they were justified.

Answer 9

no! he cant be put on a res order unless your mate presses gharges againced him. i'm afraid Britain belongs to the low lifes. our legal system looks on crims as customers....they dont want their customers banged up! becouse they lose money that way. and the do gooders want them on the street to justify their self serving possitions.....there is no proffit to be had from a victim. its a harsh UNFAIR system. ugly and accountable to know one. ( new labours gift to the country.) sorry to be so gloomy.......and sorry i cant help.

Answer 10

.should have continued with charges these parasitic diseases need to be taught a lesson they are scum on this planet.if i had my way annihilate them all let god sort them out.