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AllyWhytock
AllyWhytock's picture
Consequences of an unprovoked attack and subsequent retribution.

Hello, Here is a tragic incident, from my home town, in which a man was killed by one punch. There were two incidents separated by several minutes. In a pub, the first incident saw man 'A' strike man 'B' on the chest. Man 'A' was ejected from the pub. A typical incident we see day in day out. Man 'B' dwells on the incident and some several minutes later leaves the pub and finds man 'A'. He punches man 'A' who falls to the ground. Man 'B' immediately turns himself over to the police. Man 'A' dies the next day due to bleeding on the brain. The link contains the details of the case. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-tayside-central-25715333 An example of letting things brew up and the consequences of one punch. Also, an example of the law balancing attack, response & consequence. Kindest Regards, Ally

AllyWhytock
AllyWhytock's picture

On the same day another single punch case in Scotland resulted in a 5 year sentence. This was also a culpable homicide case and the attack was unprovoked. This time the defendant pleaded Not Guilty, which when found guilty he received a slightly longer sentence by two years. Sentencing seems to be based on not just the consequences of the criminal act but also how the defendant behaved after the criminal act. 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-25714600

Kindest Regards,

Ally

Iain Abernethy
Iain Abernethy's picture

AllyWhytock wrote:
An example of letting things brew up and the consequences of one punch.

For sometime Manchester Police have been running an awareness campaign called, “One Punch Can Kill”. Here is a video that is part of that campaign telling a tragic tale:

"Across Greater Manchester, 16 people have lost their lives due to alcohol fuelled violence in the last three years. In fact figures show that over the same time period 23 per cent (10,442) of young men aged 18-25 are most likely to carry out violent crime. Furthermore, when looking at victims of violent crime, the figures show that nine per cent (8,217) of young men aged 18-25 are also most likely to be a victim of violent crime."

Similar campaigns has also been run in other parts of the world. For example, here is a video from Australia:

Another one from Tasmania which is extremely good (and graphic in parts) called, “Real heroes walk away”:

And one final one from Northern Ireland:

The consequences and futility of needless violence is an important message to get across to young males (who are statically the most likely people to be both perpetrators and victims of violence) wherever they are based in the world.

All the best,

Iain

Tau
Tau's picture

This is exactly what I preach in class. My junior students currently seem to a have a very romantic view of violence. They don't appreciate the harm that can could. I teach that they have a right to defend themselves.... but every altercation has repercussions.

Ian H
Ian H's picture

AllyWhytock wrote:

This time the defendant pleaded Not Guilty, which when found guilty he received a slightly longer sentence by two years. Sentencing seems to be based on not just the consequences of the criminal act but also how the defendant behaved after the criminal act. 

Indeed.