Home > Ask Our Experts > Arrested for Assault: Does Witness Description Count?

Arrested for Assault: Does Witness Description Count?

By: Lorna Elliott LLB (hons), Barrister - Updated: 4 Sep 2020 |
 
Identification Evidence Police Arrest

Q.

I was arrested for assault but the witness described me to look totally different and so did the person that I was to have attacked. I had a video identity parade (Viper) taken and was picked out by the person that was attacked. While outside of the establishment where it took place the attacked man told the door ladies that I had done nothing wrong because I was not wearing all black. The door ladies ignored this and I was still arrested.

In the statement that was given from the person attacked the description didn't fit me at all. Do the police have to ask the person making the accusations what the attacker looked like? Please advise of what can be done about any of this?

(L.D, 19 May 2009)

A.

When police are called to deal with an incident, such as an allegation of assault, they will speak to the complainant and other people at the scene who will assist them in determining what happened and who – if anyone - is likely to have committed a crime. They don’t just take descriptions and information from the person who has been attacked, but ask numerous people. (If the victim had been unconscious, for example, the police would only have other eyewitnesses they could ask.) From the information that you have provided it sounds to me as though a man was attacked outside a venue, but that he then told the ladies on the door that it couldn’t be you because you weren’t wearing all black.

However, the ladies who were working on the door then told the police that you were the person who attacked the man, which is why you were arrested. You do not say whether or not you have been charged with an offence, or whether you have been bailed by the police pending further enquiries.

The Strength of the Identification Evidence

The fact that the victim picked you out in an ID parade could be compelling evidence in court that you were the person who attacked him. However, there are numerous other factors to take into consideration here which you, or your lawyer, could argue in court: firstly, the written description he gave to police wasn’t anything like you (although this could be explained by the fact that he’d just been attacked and was confused and in shock.) Secondly, the victim said you weren’t the attacker while he was still at the scene because you weren’t wearing all black. Thirdly, he could have picked you out as someone he recognised from the night of the attack but in his confusion he’s put the wrong face to the person who attacked him.

Perhaps the most problematic part of your case is that the door ladies who were purely bystanders (i.e. people who weren’t involved) pointed you out as the attacker at the scene. If they have given witness statements to the police that confirm this, their accounts are likely to be quite persuasive evidence when presented in court.

Cases Involving Identification Evidence

Although great care must be taken in a case in which identification evidence is the main part, or a very persuasive part of the prosecution’s case, it is inevitable that people make mistakes. This is why judges have to give juries warnings (called ‘directions’) when they are summing up cases.

Good luck

.

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I have been asked to a police viper. the victim knows me as i have purchased drugs from them on a previous occasion. It stands to reason they will surely pick me out. Is this allowed?
Dan - 4-Sep-20 @ 6:21 PM
I went to who I thought was a friend once to have a word with him he lost his temper and shut the door on me.Later that night police came to my house and arrested me for assault and I got put in the police cells for a night. I didn't touch him and was innocent of assault.I ended up having a breakdown in the cell and ended up in a mental hospital for 2 weeks.
sparky - 12-Mar-20 @ 2:00 PM
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Lolo - 4-Jan-17 @ 12:53 PM
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Embod - 1-Nov-16 @ 7:13 AM
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smit - 29-Oct-16 @ 5:18 AM
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Dianebowers - 28-Jun-16 @ 2:51 PM
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eh - 13-May-16 @ 12:18 PM
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Lol - 6-Feb-16 @ 9:53 PM
Gotrex - Your Question:
I was arrested today for an outstanding warrant for not showing up at court, when I question the police saying that I had never been charged. I was told by the police that they sent me the charge by post but to the wrong address. Can they send your charges by post

Our Response:
Yes, since 2011 offenders who have been bailed by police will receive formal notices in the mail ordering them to court.
CourtroomAdvice - 4-Feb-16 @ 11:43 AM
I was arrested today for an outstanding warrant for not showing up at court, when I question the police saying that I had never been charged. I was told by the police that they sent me the charge by post but to the wrong address. Can they send your charges by post
Gotrex - 3-Feb-16 @ 2:00 PM
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Dorriganates - 9-Jan-16 @ 10:54 AM
Dowley - Your Question:
Hi there im looking for advice in whether or not I should plead guilty for a crime I didn't commit! I've been charged with assault by beating in a night club and they have CCTV of a rumble and then me getting pushed away by my friend who was basically trying to protect me! The victim claims he got head butted and punched 3 times in the face, my friend admitted to the head butt, but the victim claims I punched him! And he IDENTIFIED me in the line up video! However there is no evidence of me hitting the victim as the shot of the camera is just out of view. I don't know whether to plead guilty for an easier sentencing or try my luck for something I generally didn't do. Please help thanks

Our Response:
For obvious reasons we cannot offer guidance on how you should plead, you would need to seek some legal advice.
CourtroomAdvice - 21-Oct-15 @ 2:02 PM
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If you push someone and they react and punch you in the face, can that be seen as assault for the person who has pushed them?
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JJ - 5-Feb-15 @ 6:02 PM
@Louis - Justice secretary Chris Grayling has announced plans to quadruple the maximum prison sentence internet trolls who spread venom on social media, so please be very careful about the content you post now and in the future which could be construed as poisonous. If your holiday is booked then you are obviously going to go on holiday, if the police want to speak to you then they will get in touch with you prior to that if a complaint has recently been made.
Becca - 20-Nov-14 @ 11:35 AM
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louis - 19-Nov-14 @ 6:58 PM
@vickie - it sounds terrible - does the school know about this? As if not it should be told of the circumstances and the police should have been involved from there. I hope they have been in touch with you since you posted this question.
CourtroomAdvice - 15-Oct-14 @ 2:44 PM
On the 7/10/14 my 13 year old daughter was badly beat twice on Tuesday as she left the high school The police have not asked for a statement or even tried contacting us ..One attack has been partly recorded by the student s from the school my child could have been killed it was a visouse
vickie - 14-Oct-14 @ 6:38 AM
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maud - 28-Nov-13 @ 8:37 PM
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twistedno1 - 26-Aug-13 @ 8:28 PM
Myself and my wife have just been found guilty at the magistrate courts for an assault. We wish to take this further as we are innocent and think the judge missed a few vital points in our case. we have been accused of assaulting a women in a pub full of her family and friends, as me and my wife had 1 witness who was a mutual friend to both my wife and the women. the women had 4 witnesses who all told a different story not just to the police but also all told a different story at the courts in which the womens mother in law and her sister ( 2 of her witnesses) told the courts there police statements were wrong and couldnt remember saying it, then told courts they didnt see me or my wife do anything. I have been found guilty of punching the women in question 3 times in the face and stood on her stomach yet she had no injurys. I am 6.4 in height with an athletic build and weigh 17 and half stone fit and healthy and the women is 5.3 and roughly 10 stone. yet she had no injury to her face or stomach. The womens other witness was a young friend who said the worst of us thru spite, and it was her who said I punch the women 3 times and stood on her stomach in a balancing act on 1 foot, were as the women said I only punched her once and stayed on her feet and didnt stand on her stomach. We would really appreciate any advice you can give us. Thanks.
Andy - 26-Feb-13 @ 6:14 PM
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scooby - 24-Jan-13 @ 2:25 PM
i am enquiring about not turning up in court. say for instance a defendant an either way offencewas taken ill the EARLY morning of the day of the case would AND WAS IN HOSPITAL say with some kind of stroke for instance would that constitute a good enoughreason for the defendant NOT TO APPEAR IN COURT THAT DAY AT TEN A.M.? AS MY BOYFRIEND IS NEARLY 60 AND STRESS BRINGS HIS ATTACKS OF STROKE ON THIS IS A DISTINCT POSSIBLITY, SO WOULD A REASON SUCH AS THIS BE EXCEPTABLE? OBVIOUSLY HE WOULD BE IN HOSPITAL WHEN THE CASE SHOULD HAVE GONE AHEAD. AND WOULD HISSOLICITOR STILL BE ABLE TO ASK FOR CROWN COURT HEARING AS WAS GOING TO DO WHETHER THE DEFENDANT WAS THERE ANYWAY.
michelle - 28-Dec-12 @ 12:24 PM
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