Causation

Question 1

R v Pagett

Answer 1

Pagett kidnapped his girlfriend and got into a standoff with armed police, both were killed by accident. Used for but for test.

Question 2

R v White

Answer 2

White attempted to poison his mother with her tea. She died of a heart attack before the poison took effect. White was not guilty. Used for when ‘but for’ fails.

Question 3

R v Smith

Answer 3

Smith stabbed someone in the back, they died while in care. Used for ‚operative and substantial‘ test

Question 4

R v Blaue

Answer 4

Blaue stabbed a woman in the back, she was a Jehovah’s Witness so could not get blood transfusion and died. Used to explain thin skull rule