Non-Fatal Offences Against The Person

Question 1

Q: What is the definition of assault?

Answer 1

A: ‘Causing the victim to fear immediate unlawful personal violence.’

Question 2

Q: Which case shows that silent phone calls can be assault?

Answer 2

A: R v Ireland (1997) – Silent calls caused psychiatric harm.

Question 3

Q: What is the definition of battery?

Answer 3

A: ‘The application of unlawful force on another person.’

Question 4

Q: What case shows that the force can be minimal?

Answer 4

A: Collins v Wilcock (1984) – A police officer grabbing a woman’s arm was battery.

Question 5

Q: What is ABH?

Answer 5

A: ‘Assault or battery causing actual bodily harm (more than trivial injury).’

Question 6

Q: What case confirmed that psychiatric harm can be ABH?

Answer 6

A: R v Chan-Fook (1994) – Mental harm is included in ABH.

Question 7

Q: What is the difference between s20 and s18 GBH?

Answer 7

A:
s20 GBH – ‘maliciously inflicting GBH’ (recklessness is enough).
s18 GBH – ‘intentionally causing GBH’ (specific intent required).

Question 8

Q: What case defined GBH as ‘serious harm’?

Answer 8

A: DPP v Smith (1961) – ‘Serious harm’ includes broken bones.