Witness and giving evidence

[Burnthurst187]

Some years ago I was a witness to two men shooting an air rifle at unsuspecting members of the public.

A girl late teens was hit in the face amongst a few other people. I had been shopping and the carrier bag I was carrying was hit and CD case smashed. I could have been blinded if the pellet had been higher as could others. I was maybe one hundred yards away so it must have been quite high powered

I managed to work out where the two men were hiding and called the police. The police arrived within minutes and I directed them to the men. Shortly after I left I later found out armed police turned up with machine guns. The men got the shock of their lives, dropped the gun, ran but were caught

I went to court three times which was not a nice experience but they both got sent to jail so it was a good result. However, my city is small and I didn't feel safe going back into the city Incase they saw me. They got six months so would possibly be out in three

I have always said to myself that if I ever saw anything serious happening again I would call the police but I don't think I could give evidence again. It was a horrible experience being in court, seeing them and being cross examined. I know not giving evidence would mean ppl possibly get away with it but I found it very intimidating and unsafe. On the second occasion one of the two left court in front of me

I just wondered if anybody else had ever experienced giving evidence and would you do it again

I guess IABU

I reported someone beating up his girlfriend on the street last year. I made sure my dashcam was on them until the police arrived and they came round the next day for the footage. The girlfriend didn’t want to press charges but the dashcam footage meant the police/CPS charged him and it went to court. I wasn’t nervous because I hadn’t done anything wrong. Both he and the girlfriend told ridiculous lies. He was found guilty based on my evidence and sentenced to community service, anger management classes and a large fine.

His barrister was dreadful - a young woman not long qualified - who suggested that this could just be “a feature” of their relationship. . At least now if the girlfriend ever wants to make a complaint, the charge will be there to show that it’s not the first time etc.

CPS said not many people would have done what I did. Had I not turned up at court he would have gotten away with it.

I’d do it again in a heartbeat.