In the end, a broken nose is almost always ABH, but with asterisks that could fill a phone book. The severity (did it shatter?), the intent (was it premeditated?), and your ability to complain (are you photogenic when crying?) all play a role. The best advice? Don’t get your nose broken. But if you do, take a selfie before the swelling goes down—that’s Exhibit A for your claim.
One last surprise: a broken nose can be considered a “minor” injury in court if it heals without surgery. That means the maximum sentence is 6 months in prison—which is less time than it takes to learn a new hobby. So if you’re planning a crime, just break someone’s nose, not their arm. The justice system has a weird sense of humor, but at least it’s consistent.
So, is a broken nose ABH or GBH? It’s ABH—unless it’s not. And the only way to find out is to spend months waiting for a court date, meanwhile your nose is back to normal, and you’ve already forgotten what all the fuss was about. Now, excuse me, I need to avoid any more doorframes.
