About, oooooh, 4 years ago, now,
I went into Glasgow with a few friends and the ex missus to see a mates band play in Fury Murray's. Back then, I was not used to nights out in the city (being a wee bumpkin) but it had all gone well, we were quite well oiled and were waiting for our mini bus at a bus stop...... unfortunately, a rather secluded one near the St. Enoch centre. Now.... there were about 9 of us there, but we maybe didn't look like we were all together as 3 of my mates were in their best metal finery, whereas I had been dressed by the wife. Soon enough, as we waited, a ned an his nedstress appeared and began talking to my 3 metal-clad mates, mainly it seemed in the hopes of procuring their accompaniment to a heroin party. Suspicious. Suspicious or not, my mates got sick of him in about 2 minutes, and gently suggested that he may like to leave. Well..... the exact words were "Look mate, we don't want yer fuckin' junk, fuck of or I'll shove you wummin's brolly up yer arse and open it!" The reply he gave stopped me laughing tho. "That right? Wait there." And off he marched. Within a few seconds someone else approached us..... he seemed to be wrapping his belt round his hand, and as he reached us he smacked one of my mates, leaving a 1 inch gash on his forehead, and ran off, hotly pursued by my 3 mates and one of their girlfriends, leaving me, the missu, one other guy and 2 ladies behind. Now, at this point I remained at the bus stop only because the missus was also trying to join the fight (she was/is a lunatic) but as Iooked on I genuinely became terrified.... there were neds springing out from EVERYWHERE! It had been an ambush.... they'd spotted my mates and had been trying to lure them away from the bus stop to jump them. I knew my mates were in trouble but I just stood there..... I do think trying to protect the missus was part of it, but I'm a bit ashamed to admit I was bloody terrified too. It was all caught on CCTV, but the cops wouldn't bring charges cos my mates had fought back! Tit-headed idiots.
( baw__bag contains traces of nuts on, Thu 14 Feb 2008, 23:16, 6 replies)

Excuse me?
You can't press charges because you defended yourself?

Shit, I hope that's not the case here. I'd prolly be thrown in the can. I have defended myself somewhat ahem virgorously in the past.
(TDub Nunc id vides, nunc ne vides on, Fri 15 Feb 2008, 1:22, closed)

Reading some of these stories, I think we need to make self-defence unlimited in this country.

( idonthaveafunnynickname Drink-Aware? Sure. I'm aware I want another drink., Fri 15 Feb 2008, 4:08, closed)

Yep,
they claimed my mates would have to be charged as well, even though one needed stitches on his forehead (you could see his skull! Looked like a 3rd eye) and another needed surgery on his eye. Plus we had called the coppers, and they'd caught 2 of the scum at the scene! I just STOOD there! I got at least 2 more stories involving the same folk and more workshy coppers (though on the few occasions I've needed them they've been great), but writing them on this ps3 controller's a pain and I'm too ill to walk to the PC
( baw__bag contains traces of nuts on, Fri 15 Feb 2008, 4:21, closed)

I used to play
in the Riverside Club on Fox St, which was also close to the St Enoch centre. Loading gear into the car after the gig was always an interesting experience because of the crowds of neds swarming about.

Fortunately I never had any trouble which amounted to anything more than verbal, but I was often glad to get in the car, lock the doors and get out of there.
( K2k6 has a proper job these days, Fri 15 Feb 2008, 10:14, closed)

The police are right, unfortunately.
If the ned had stayed and continued to hit your friend, then retaliating would be defence.

Chasing after the fleeing ned can only be for revenge, as the attack has ended; he's not defending against anything.

Sorry.
(Musuko, Fri 15 Feb 2008, 16:51, closed)

I suppose so....
I had abbreviated the story slightly due to the PS3 thing, they never ran off immediately but stood for about 30 seconds doing the "come on then!" thing, a fight broke out between nedette and my mates gf (which is why I was holding the ex back), one of the neds apparently took a swipe at her then they bolted, pursued by my mates. I can see how the law would view my mates being equally in the wrong, but having been assaulted while waiting at a bus stop and almost losing an eye, it was just human nature, plus the whole thing on film..... the truth is they couldn't be arsed. Don't get me wrong..... similar thing have happened to me and the police were extremely helpful.
( baw__bag contains traces of nuts on, Fri 15 Feb 2008, 17:48, closed)