The price of landing a blow.
Page 45
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An argument at the roadside can easily turn into violence. Just one blow can have serious consequences for the offender, even if the victim is only bruised. Common assault, contrary to section 39 of the Criminal Justice Act 1988, carries a maximum sentence of six months in jail or a tine of up to £5,000. In an assault case the victim has been struck, but there is likely to be no physical harm—the emphasis is more on the fact that the blow has been dealt in the first place. More serious is section 47 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861, where "actual bodily harm" is caused to the victim. There is likely to be bruising or some other sign of injury; the offender can be imprisoned for a maximum of five years.
What is it like for the driver on the ground? CM paid a visit to the BP truckstop at South Mimms on the M25 to speak to six drivers. They were a cautious lot, all agreeing that avoiding a confrontation was the best policy. And some of them were speaking from harsh experience...