Help on common assault please

[Theflorist]

Hello. I'm in the U.K. my 19 year old son has been charged with common assault. He was verbally abusive to his mother with a child present. My wife did a witness impact statement stating he had caused anxiety and for her to be afraid. There were ongoing problems with his behaviour in the home before that incident. He is always angry.

We were hoping he would not be charged, yet here we are.
Our son has now got a home elsewhere and doesn't live with us.

We don't have a court date yet as due to covid everything is behind.

I'm wondering what sort of outcome my son will have at the magistrates court.
Is it a six month sentence or do people usually get a caution or other decisions?
My wife is super anxious, as am I. We were only told last night about the decision. I can give more details if needed. We are supporting our son via text messages and telling him to keep positive.
Any advice is very gratefully recieved.

[islandgirl]

Is he of previous good character? if the magistrates put it into category 3 the outcome would most likely be a fine (or even a conditional discharge) but it is impossible to know without having full details of what took place. If it is a more serious event there could be a community order (curfew, unpaid work etc). Go to court with him. Ask your solicitor (assume you have one...) to point out that things have changed and how you are supporting him (if this is the true). Your wife could write a letter to court explaning how things are now resolved (if they are) and that it was a one off occurance. It all helps. BUT ONLY TELL THE TRUTH.

[des8]

May I suggest, that if he has anger problems he voluntarily goes on an anger management course.
This may not only help in court, but also going forward in life

[islandgirl]

Good suggestion - and if he does it before the hearing and tells the court it will be taken into account - we mags are always impessed by those who try to help themselves! However take proof you have done it as I must say we don't always believe it...