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Violent disorder

This offence is committed where three or more people who are present together use or threaten unlawful violence and the  conduct of them taken together is such as would cause a person of reasonable firmness present at the scene to fear for his  personal safety.


These are ordinary English words which do not have any special legal meaning and which do not need much explanation. 


“three or more people” – that may mean one defendant and two or more other people or two defendants and one or more other people or indeed nay combination which amounts to more than three people


In the context of this case the words “use … unlawful violence” require a deliberate act.  Accidentally falling through a hedge does not amount to using unlawful violence.


A person of reasonable firmness simply means an ordinary, average person.  Not someone who is a tough guy.  Not someone who is particularly timid - simply a person of reasonable firmness.

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