... things like this it's hard to judge if you're maybe being a bit too wussy...
- No, you're not; you are the victim of an assault.
Saw a TV consumer programme where they said tha if someone shouts at you in a threatening and intimidating manner it's legally classed as an assault. Particularly if you believe the person is about to physically hurt you even if they don't, it doesn't matter, you thought you were in danger, so it's an assault perpetrated against you.
If someone makes as if to raise their arm as if handing out a backhander to you - it's an assault.
In fact anyone intimidating you by shouting the odds in your face - it's an assault.
Someone grabbing the lapels of your jacket to impose their will on you - it's an assault.
If you are then subsequently physically struck or harmed in any way, then it is not an assault - it's classed as 'assault and battery'.
Assault is where you are not physically harmed or touched whereas when someone strikes you, pushes you, punches you, it is Assault and Battery.
In other words if like Sophie's dad you feel that, 'things like this it's hard to judge' then take a look at this quote:
"Assault. And battery. Two separate offenses against the person that when used in one expression may be defined as any unlawful and unpermitted touching of another.
Assault is an act that creates an apprehension in another of an imminent, harmful, or offensive contact. The act consists of a threat of harm accompanied by an apparent, present ability to carry out the threat. Battery is a harmful or offensive touching of another.
The main distinction between the two offenses is the existence or nonexistence of a touching or contact. While contact is an essential element of battery, there must be an absence of contact for assault. Sometimes assault is defined loosely to include battery".
Many of us have had water squirted at us or aggressive shouts from passing vehicles designed to cause us distress whilst out cycling. Let's all be clear about this: if it happens to you, report to the police that you have been assaulted. Think, 'assault', and it'll help dissuade you from downgrading or treating it as 'being a bit wussy'.
(Been a bit of a jailhouse lawyer here, so if anyone works in the police force, or legal profession and has further knowledge of the above, please feel free to amend, correct or qualify my post).