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Assault - tell the police or leave it?

Last night I witnessed an assault. It was a guy I knew who punched a guy from my uni who was just passing. The uni are looking into it and the police have been informed. I know this guy quite well but nobody knows how well I really know him, they just think he is some random guy from a night out.

The guy who was assaulted didn't deserve it at all even if he was provoking a fight. I've seen him today and he looks a mess it's really bad. I had to give like a mini statement but I was really scared so just gave the guys first name, said he lived out of town and I don't know him very well.

Part of me wants the police to find him so the guy that got assaulted feels safe but I'm also really scared. He's told me not to say anything and I know he has loads of mates so if the police find him he'll know it's down to me or one of my mates. They know where we live and I have to live in this city for the next 3 years. If I tell the police then I don't know if I'll be able to stay here, although I don't want him to get away with it.

I seriously don't know what to do for the best. People get assaulted all the time and people get away with it all the time but I just don't know.

Reply 1

Anonymous #1

OP

Edit: He didn't just punch him for no reason. The other guy provoked him and it was building up for a few minutes before it actually happened. I did try to stop it but I couldn't really hold him back.

Reply 2

Jonjo14

it was just a punch, not the end of the world.

Reply 3

Anonymous #1

OP

No it was more than just a punch, he was kicking his head when the guy was out cold on the floor. I can't get it out of my head and the fact that I was really close to someone and letting them in my room and they have turned out like that scares me a bit.

Reply 4

FormerlyFrisbeeFan

16

Tell the police, you know it's the right thing to do. And certainly never let him in your room again! Isn't there a number you can ring to anonymously tip off the police - Crimestoppers?

Reply 5

el che

The right choice isn't usually the easy one.

Reply 6

J1mjam

2

Anonymous

No it was more than just a punch, he was kicking his head when the guy was out cold on the floor. I can't get it out of my head and the fact that I was really close to someone and letting them in my room and they have turned out like that scares me a bit.

personally i think something needs to be done...one punch, get over it. a proper fair fight lots of punches, getting serious. someone out cold on the floor defence and being kicked...thats a whole different situation. hes in deep **** if the truth comes out. is there no way 'someone else' could have seen it?

Reply 7

danny111

3

Anonymous

No it was more than just a punch, he was kicking his head when the guy was out cold on the floor. I can't get it out of my head and the fact that I was really close to someone and letting them in my room and they have turned out like that scares me a bit.

That's sick.

Reply 8

Joinedup

20

Anonymous

No it was more than just a punch, he was kicking his head when the guy was out cold on the floor. I can't get it out of my head and the fact that I was really close to someone and letting them in my room and they have turned out like that scares me a bit.

That's not right.

Anonymous tip off?

http://www.crimestoppers-uk.org/giving-information

Reply 9

J1mjam

2

Joinedup

That's not right.

Anonymous tip off?

http://www.crimestoppers-uk.org/giving-information

i think the problem with this is...there might not have been anyone around who could have seen other than the people he knows...if you get me? he gets caught. he knows who grassed. thats why i asked. is there no chance some randomer could have seen?

Reply 10

Butane

10

Serves the cocky **** right.

Reply 11

cambo211

19

That's GBH not assault.

Reply 12

Anonymous #1

OP

I spoke to the guy who did it he said he isn't normally like that and begging me not to tell them I know him. I just know that he will know it was me who said. I'm the only one out of the lot of us who knows his surname and approximately where he lives and where he works. I know the right thing to do is to tell the police but I feel like I'm gonna be constantly watching my back! I just wanna get on with uni now, but what's worse, constantly having a guilty conscience because I could help them catch this guy or constantly feeling like I'm going to have to watch my back? I know he goes out in the city so I could see him again and he could flip out and do the same to me or one of my other mates.

Reply 13

Joinedup

20

the OP says it was on a night out so I was reckoning on lots of bystanders and probably some CCTV. obviously I wasn't there though.

BTW Bloke got killed round here by someone kicking his head in when he was knocked out on the pavement. The assailant got jail on the basis of blood on his clothes & footwear without anyone having to stand witness.

Reply 14

Arekkusu

16

Anonymous

I spoke to the guy who did it he said he isn't normally like that and begging me not to tell them I know him.

~~Extort some protection money from him.~~

He is probably telling the truth with that; you've actually talked about the incident with him after, to me he doesn't seem connected at all. If I were him, I'd have threatened you rather than begged if I had anything to threaten with. You could make out like you've made the decision to shop him to the police and see if he makes a threat then.

Reply 15

IanDangerously

20

Tell the police. They won't take any action on it at all most likely, but it'll make you feel better knowing you reported it.

Reply 16

mrbelding

Personally doing the right thing is more important than self-preservation, for others not so much. Your actions define you but we can't tell you who you want to be.

Reply 17

2cold

If you give his name and info he will know; your statement will be read to him in the interview and you WILL have to attend court (as if this other guy was in a serious state the CPS will bring it to court) sounds like GBH if this guy has previous convictions probs a little time in prison can range from 6 months to a couple of years. Keep your mouth shut and turn a blind eye **** happens sounds as if it was provoked...

Reply 18

Empire08

2cold

If you give his name and info he will know; your statement will be read to him in the interview and you WILL have to attend court (as if this other guy was in a serious state the CPS will bring it to court) sounds like GBH if this guy has previous convictions probs a little time in prison can range from 6 months to a couple of years. Keep your mouth shut and turn a blind eye **** happens sounds as if it was provoked...

Not really. Sounds like some drunken chav **** kicking someones head in for looking at him the wrong way. No doubt to impress his lady friend (which is presume is OP).

OP, I know its hard, but you have to tell the police. What if worst case scenario he died or had severe brain damage, would you still let him get away with it?

I know you might be scared, but honestly after telling the police what you know, he would be stupid to even look at you, intimidation of witnesses, etc and he will be in even more **** than he already is.

Reply 19

Anonymous #1

OP

I dunno, today nobody has mentioned it so I feel like they have forgotten about it. But the victim still has a black eye and has lost his tooth. I'm just so scared they'll come after me, I don't wanna be involved in stuff like this :s-smilie:

Assault - tell the police or leave it?

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