Reasonable force, burgary etc.

[keithAngel]

I would go along more or less with what you say, but there was an interesting case on the 1960's when one Saturday afternoon a butcher named Bridger was going to a night save to deposit the days takings. He took with him a large knife 'to protect his money.'

He was attacked by 4 people, one of whom died as a result of the injuries inflicted by the butcher.

On the advice of the Metropolitan Police solicitors branch, New Scotland Yard, he was not charged with anything. At the subsequent coroners court a verdict of 'Justifiable homicide' was recorded.

The three surviving robbers were subsequently convicted of robbery at the Central Criminal Court.

Of courseJohn if he had been stop and searched befor the incident he could have been charged with possesion of an offensive weapon (although perhaps as a butcher he might have reasonable excuse if he said he was taking "his tool" home to sharpen for example but if he said it was for "self defence"instant nick)its only the police who can carry weapons although there is no statute that "allows" this only an unwritten agreement Ive had my guys asked so is that 3 cell maglight in case you get attacked "no officer its a torch"

[johncar54]

Of courseJohn if he had been stop and searched befor the incident he could have been charged with possesion of an offensive weapon (although perhaps as a butcher he might have reasonable excuse if he said he was taking "his tool" home to sharpen for example but if he said it was for "self defence"instant nick)its only the police who can carry weapons although there is no statute that "allows" this only an unwritten agreement Ive had my guys asked so is that 3 cell maglight in case you get attacked "no officer its a torch"

He said he was carrying the knife to protect his money and stuck to that even though there were 'suggestions' made to him that he might have been, 'taking it home to get it sharpened' etc. That was why we spoke to Solicitors branch as we could see no alternative to charging offensive weapon at the very least.

The point established was that under Common Law one can even take life to 'protected' their life, another's life, ones own property or that of another.

The problem with the Tony Martin and the 'cricket bat' man cases was that they were not 'protesting' at the time they attacked.

The UK law will never condone attacking to 'punish' or arrest people for crime. Which some people here think it shout. That is what the criminal justice system is there for. If people consider that is inadequacy then it's up to them to lobby their MPs to get the law change.