Several kicks

Lost a tooth after “precautionary” self-defense

Man (44) beat up victim "as a precaution" - and pleaded self-defense in court in St. Pölten. In addition to the out-of-court settlement, the injured party was awarded compensation for pain and suffering.

This is a classic "victim-perpetrator reversal" - the defendant at the St. Pölten court is certain of this. After all, he had acted in self-defense - albeit with a time delay. The victim suffered a bruised skull, abrasions and a broken tooth after two targeted kicks from the Viennese-born man.

The 44-year-old now had to answer for grievous bodily harm. "An attack is not self-defense", the judge countered the defendant's justification.

The 44-year-old had clashed with one of the two opponents just weeks before. At that time, he had to lose a tooth during the altercation. When the two of them came face to face again on a train, he didn't hesitate and let his feet do the talking as a precaution. "I was quicker this time," he explains. The victim's sexual orientation had nothing to do with it.

Man pleaded not guilty
"It's a joke to make me out to be the defendant here," says the 44-year-old, placing the blame elsewhere. An out-of-court settlement was agreed, including 200 euros in compensation for the victim.