Self defense has always been a topical issue and always will be, where ever there are people there will be violence.
Every day you hear of countless stories of people all over the world retaliating in self defense, but sadly you also hear about many of these cases being taken to court.
Self defense has always been a fragile subject when talking in terms of the law. The law states the use of self defense is fine aslong it can be classified as reasonable force. Here are two real self defense stores for you to think about.
No Charge Over Death Of Burglar.
By Duncan Campbell Crime Correspondent.23 January 1996
The Guardian
A businessman will not be prosecuted over the death of a burglar he tackled at his home, the Crown Prosecution Service announced yesterday.
The service said there was insufficient evidence to bring any charge against Hungarian-born Niklos “Nick” Baungartner, from the village of Ockbrook in Derbyshire.
Mr Baungartner confronted Robert Ingham, aged 22, in the kitchen on December 30 last year. The fight moved into the front garden where Mr Ingham suffered a severe neck injury from which he died. Mr Baungartner, who had tried vainly to attract help from passing motorists, ran to neighbours for help.
He suffered a broken wrist, bruising and shock.
Mr Baungartner was very distressed by the intruder’s death.
After a detailed investigation, Derbyshire police concluded that Mr Ingham’s injuries were entirely consistent with Mr Baungartner’s version of events.
People are entitled to use “reasonable force” to protect themselves against an intruder or to prevent a crime.
Bloody great big hero’.
Cahal Milmo.
22 June 2000
The Independent - London
Richard Watkins is not a typical village postmaster, as a biker of 6ft 4in with long grey hair, a bushy beard and a talent for electronic wizardry.
But yesterday, in Wolverley - a picture postcard village near Kidderminster - he was a celebrated postmaster and, in the words of one resident, “a bloody great big hero”.
The previous morning, Mr Watkins, a 50-year-old bachelor described as “a gentle giant”, found himself fighting off with a knife an armed robber. Scott Griffiths, the jobless plasterer who had burst into the post office wearing a balaclava and waving a sawn-off shotgun, died later from his stab wounds.
Griffiths, 28, who had convictions for burglary, assault and theft, received a fatal stab wound to the chest when Mr Watkins grabbed the four-inch lock-knife he uses to open bundles of newspapers, and lunged at his attacker.
Griffiths was found dead within an hour, in the back of a blue Ford Sierra used as a getaway car. The two men who were allegedly with him were nowhere to be seen.
West Mercia police announced soon afterwards they were treating the sub-postmaster as a victim of a “terrifying and life-threatening” crime. His customers, friends and neighbours agreed yesterday that he was the victim.
Ms Watkins said she would be “very surprised” if charges were brought against the postmaster, adding: “He was really acting in self-defence. He didn’t know initially that the gun wasn’t loaded.
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In both these situations the victims of the orignal crime were let off without any charges. This is because they were both faced with Life or Death situations, and this Is the only time the the law of "Reasonable Force" does not as strictly apply.
The law of reasonable force states that - "The amount of forced used in a situation as to be relative to the threat the situation poses" In other words If you are mugged for your handbag by an unarmed attacker, pulling out a gun and shooting the assailant would not be classed as reasonable force, and you would find yourself behind steel bars for a long time.
Whereas just simply taking the attacker to the ground or disorientating that would be classed as reasonable force as the amount of forced used is relative to the danger you are In. But if the attacker wanted to cause serious injury to you or was armed then breaking bones, inflicting serious injury would be acceptable.
So If you find yourself in a dangerous situation make sure you would be able to justify the actions you took.
Visit http://www.fightagainst.co.uk for more Info.
