Defences Flashcards
Self defence
A) B) C) D) E) F)
A) Threat B) Unjustified C) Reasonable to use force D) Reasonable Amount E) Defence F) Reaction
R v Hitchens
Cannot attack an innocent 3rd party to prevent an attack
R v Beckford 1988
“Circumstances may justify a pre-emptive strike”
R v Kelly (1989)
Soldier shot a driver in N.Ireland dead because he thought he was a terrorist
Pre-emptive strike
Marsh v DPP (2015)
Cannot provoke the threat, unless response was disproportionate
Reasonable force as…
…the defendant believed the circumstances to be
R v Galdstone Williams (1984)
Witnessed a man attacking a youth (who mugged him)
A person may use force as is (……..) reasonable in the circumstances he (………) believes them to be
Objectively - force
Subjectively - circumstances
R v Oye
Honestly believed he was being attacked due to illusions
However in the circumstances, this force was unjustified
Dadson principle
Have to know that it is self defence (can’t use it as an excuse)
S76 (5) Criminal Justice and Immigration Act (2008)
Allows the law to be more lenient in householder cases
“Grossly disproportionate” for the force to be unreasonable
R v Martin (2000)
Farm owner shot 2 men who were burgling his estate
Before the reform of the law; he was sent to prison
However his conviction was quashed to manslaughter due to diminished responsibility
Munir and Tokeer Hussain
Chased after burglar, caused GBH, went beyond self defence
Andy and Tracy Terrie (2012)
Farm owners shot burgalrs
Case dropped due to reasonable self defence
- Fear of opening up the law to extrajudicial killings
What is involuntary intoxication?
D is unaware of the intoxication
R v Bailey (1983)
Did not know how to use insulin correctly
Became hypoglycemic and violent
It was involuntary intoxication, no MR