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SELF-DEFENCE
Page 42
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Earlier this year, CM reported on a case of a Greek lorry driver arrested in the West Midlands on suspicion of murder after one of his attackers was stabbed and killed. The case has raised questions about how much force individuals can use to protect themselves or other people from violence or the threat of violence.
The key factor, as far as the law is concerned, say the police, is whether or not the amount of force used was reasonable in the circumstances, as the individual honestly believed them to be. In other words, did they really believe the only way to prevent themself, or someone else, being harmed was to hurt the attacker?
The age, gender and relative strength of the person defending themselves and the circumstances surrounding their actions would all be taken into account (For more on this, see CMs legal feature 'Protect and survive', which appeared in the 9 April edition).