I have been charged with an offence of common assault but I did not actually touch or injure the complainant.
A charge of common assault can be brought where the accused is alleged to have caused the victim genuine and immediate fear of personal violence towards them. This can include extreme shouting in the complainants face at very short distance or, for example, deliberately driving a motor vehicle at speed in someones direction to cause them to fear that they would be immediately knocked down. Additional examples are where the allegation of common assault arises from spitting. Once again no contact is made by the accused but this can still amount to a charge of common assault.