Involuntary Manslaughter Cases

Question 1

What cases show UAM in different criminal acts?

Answer 1

• R v Goodfellow (Arson)
• DPP v Newbury & Jones (Criminal Damage)
• R v Watson (Burglary)

Question 2

UAM: Case links to act must be unlawful?

Answer 2

R v Lamb (Fired gun at friend, both thought it was safe)

-Must be unlawful, in this case its not - as its not assault as V had no fear.

Question 3

UAM: What case links to dangerous act?

Answer 3

R v Larkin: (threatened V1 with blade, V2 accidentally dies to blade)
-Unlawful act doesn’t need to be aimed at V but must be objectively dangerous

Question 4

UAM: What cases link to risk of harm?

Answer 4

R v Larkin + R v JM & SM

-Its not necessary for D to realise the risk of harm

Question 5

UAM: What case links to MR of UAM?

Answer 5

Newbury & Jones (Paving stone push onto train killed guard)

• Not necessary for D to force harm
• Only needs intention to do unlawful act

Question 6

UAM: What case links to causation?

Answer 6

Kennedy (supplied drugs, did not inject them)

-Act must be physical and legal cause of death. In this case there was an intervening act.