What was slightly surprising about this case was what occurred on the way to my car after the excitement of day one in the court. Never happened to me before or since.Very much a one off - so not going to make a very big fuss of it - just one of those things.
This case was in a city with a port – a large city – a rough-house sort of place - a great city for being a defence barrister (so they say) as most of the jury are criminals themselves and are likely to be sympathetic to fellow crims (so they say). I don’t believe a word of it myself. But this place is not the sort of place, which attracts the finer elements of society.
Anyway – there I am walking back to my car in the deserted multi story when two oiks walk out of the shadows. One youth – short hair – tattoos (I know – just a typical British youth) – the other was older – fat geezer.
Gawd this sounds clichéd.
Old geezer goes:
“You’d better not get that f****** paedo off....”
So I says:
“Sorry – who are you again?”
Old Geezer goes:
“Never mind that – you get that f***** off and we’re going to f****** hammer you…and him….”
So I says:
“Well that’s something to look forward to.”
So next thing – youth with the knuckles punches me in the face.
Catches me above my left eye – I wasn’t expecting it – but if you’re going to be a smart-arse then its best to either get your retaliation in first or run.
Anyway – I just legged it – all the way back to my car.
They didn’t follow me. I don’t know who the hell they were – and I have never troubled myself to find out.
No point fighting back – can you imagine the headlines:
“Barrister for accused teacher, assaults family of child in car park” (Presuming - that's who they were...but I don't know).
Not a case winner.
So the next day in court – I appear with a nasty cut above my eye (I had a bit of scar-tissue there – and it ripped open) and bruising all around it. I could see the judge eyeing me suspiciously – but the jury seemed amused.
Being British nothing was said and we
JUST CARRIED ON
No - I havent pressed charges - and not going to either - what's the bleedin' point.
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