[agere_contra]

You are right about the precedents.

However, Maximum Leader Blair made it clear about a year(?) or so ago that it was ok to defend yourself in Britain (gee thanks Tony!). He could see the way public opinion was going, I guess.

[processing please hold]

I found this old story from 2002. Scary article. A few examples about people trying to defend themselves against thugs.

http://www.mises.org/misesreview_detail.asp?control=215