Wish me luck, finally in court this afternoon

hope it's gone as deserved Tim x

[Richie]

ok Tim fess up, what did the Bully get.
Slap on the wrists and told not to do it again...

Or Please tell us that he got a stretch so Mr Big can ask him to pick up his soap! or do a tad of uphill gardening in the green house...

[timwilky]

Just got back in.

A wasted day, two cases were up in the same court today. Mine being no 2. Because of legal arguments and prevaricating in trial 1 it only kicked off proper at 3:45 and they suspended proceedings at 5 to reschedule my case until April.

Good news for me is the guy is defending himself. Other witnesses are not happy because they know just how intimidating he can be. Me, well only a fool defends himself.

intimidation wont do him any favours in a court room. Agree with you on this one big man, only a fool...

he's defending himself! i thought that only happened in films!

[Bluepete]

If he is representing himself, he has little chance. However, he clerk of the court will assist him and keep him in line too. He won't be able to intimidate you or the witnesses without being slapped into line, so don't worry about that side of it.

You and your witnesses will give your evidence first, being lead through it by the CPS. He will then have chance to cross examine you all. After that, he will go into the dock to be questioned by the CPS.

He will, no doubt try and get you into an "Oh no I didn't", "Oh yes you did" argument. Just listen to him, then answer his questions by looking at the Magistrates. Tell them your answer. If he starts making long winded statements, then say nothing. Do not shout. Do not argue. Just answer the questions.

Most of all, stay cool, calm and collected. Don't rise to any provocation before court.

Pete

Good luck for April Tim, Pete is right about him defending himself. I went to court over a guy on a motorcycle who tried to scare the horses when we were riding along a bit of country road. When I was in the witness stand I could see Mr VT's Mum who had given her evidence before me giggling at him because he was doing such a god-awful job of defending himself.

It went like this:
Offender: So you are trying to deny that I revved my bike 3 times next to the horses to frighten them?
Me: no
Offender: Really?
Me: Yes
Offender: So you are denying it?
Me: No

...Clerk of the court *sigh: No Mr X...YOU are denying it! *sign, just proceed with your next question

Offender: how far away from the horses was I
Me: about 1 foot away
Offender: ok

Clerk of the court: do you have any further questions
Offender: No

[timwilky]

Apparently the court advised him to have a word with the duty solicitor. I think they were hoping he would the change his plea.

Great, the solicitor is drinking acquaintance of mine and a personal friend of one of the other witnesses.

He is defending himself as he has been turned down for legal aid and cannot afford to appoint a solicitor. A position I think many of us could quite easily find ourselves in. I do not have any sympathy for his position as if he had behaved himself that day he would not be in that position now.

Ironically, the police officer who spent the day with us waiting to be called into the first trial was the firearms officer called in to tazer (not needed, he came quietly) the guy who hit me.

BTW this guy was also in today. I wondered why there were photographers outside when I got there. Until I heard him being called, he is like a local celeb

[ethariel]

Get a stranger to pass him a jar of vaseline and wink before he goes into the court room, might make him a wee bit more nervous

[fastdruid]

Originally Posted by timwilky

Good news for me is the guy is defending himself. Other witnesses are not happy because they know just how intimidating he can be. Me, well only a fool defends himself.

lol

Druid (a fool)