Paul Baldwin
Enlightened
I have read this entire thread. It disturbs me. Am I to believe that in the UK and most of Europe, if someone attempts to assault you, you can get into trouble for defending yourself? For injuring them? That is very sad. Has common sense gone out the window for political correctness?
You can indeed get in trouble I believe if you go further than using reasonable force. If someone breaks into your home and you defend yourselves and they flee you'd very probably not be prosecuted. However like the asian family in the news a couple of weeks ago you can end up in jail if you go too far. They chased an assailant down the street and broke a cricket bat over his head, supposedly giving him a brain injury, even tho he's continued to get in trouble with the law after the event!
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/crime/article6956044.ece
He was however released early due mainly to public pressure iirc
In another case two lads who were attacked on a night out didn't get in trouble for defending themselves. The whole thing was caught on CCTV, however I bet if it wasn't the outcome may have been very different? The video is in the link.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/8296190.stm
They made the mistake of attacking two cage fighters dressed as women!!!!!
As for a torch to possibly distract an attacker to give a woman a few yards head start I reckon my Ultrafire A10 on 14500's is a good alternative. Reasonable size, weight, durable and very bright with not too narrow a hotspot.