Where two groups engage in mutual verbal aggression and taunting that escalates into a physical brawl, the verbal aggression amounts to consent to fight, precluding reliance on self-defence. A defendant who is an initial aggressor in a fight in a public place commits the offence from the outset, and becoming a victim of aggression thereafter does not negate the earlier commission. A Magistrate's reasons for decision may be read together with comments made during submissions to assess adequacy.
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