Offences Against the Person Flashcards
MR an AR
What is the Actus Reus of Assault?
Causing. the victim to apprehend immediate AND unlawful personal violence.
What is the Mens Rea of Assault?
Intentionally or recklessly causing the victim to apprehend immediate and unlawful personal violence.
What is the criminal liability of Assault?
- AR = apprehend immediate unlawful personal violence
- MR = intentionally or recklessly apprehend immediate violence.
- Absence of a valid defence;
( self-defence / intoxication / consent ).
Assault : Apprehension?
This means that the V thought or feared potential violence.
-Raising fist would be sufficient.
- defendant must cause V to believe that they can/will carry out threat of force.
- It is irrelevant that the D does not have means to carry out threat.
- physical gestures can for the basis for assault.
-words / silence can constitute assault.
Pressing face to glass window of V = assault
Assault: Immediate
The V must believe that the violence must be immediate. It cannot be some time in the future.
Immediate does not mean instantaneous.
If the V thinks it could happen at ‘any time’ (D following / calling / stalking).
Can mean imminent - i.e telephone caller saying “ I will be at your door in a minute” - can constitute assault if the. V apprehend immediate violence.
Held - if V did not know what D would do next. Thus feared immediate violence which was what D intended.
Assault : unlawful
Application of force upon another would be considered lawful IF the defendant threatens reasonable force in SELF-DEFENCE or the V CONSENTS
Assault: Personal Violence
Violence can must be physical it cannot be just psychological.
If it results is psychological damage could be s.47 OAPA
Assault
It is a basic intent crime. This means it can be committed intentionally or recklessly.
- Intent = D’s aim or purpose.
-Reckless = see a risk that. their actions WILL cause the victim to apprehend immediate personal violence. In circumstances known to D it was unreasonable to take the risk.
Subjective recklessness must be established for any assault charged on the basis of RECKLESSNESS
Battery - Overview:
The defendant touches the victim in an unwanted fashion.
A battery is the actual intended use of unlawful force to another person without consent.
It includes the reckless application of force.
Battery sentence
Maximum penalty of 6 months in prison.
And/or - a £5,000 fine.
What is the criminal liability of Battery?
AR = Application of unlawful force
MR = Intentionally or reckless applies unlawful force.
Absence of a valid defence ( self-defence / intoxication / consent ).
What is Battery?
Battery is an act by which a person intentionally or recklessly applies unlawful force on another
what is the difference between Battery and Assault
Battery = physical touch
Assault = apprehending violence
Actus Reus of Battery
Application of unlawful force on another.
Battery - Application
Battery can be inflicted
1. Directly
( hitting victim with or without weapon).
- Indirectly
(D digging a pit which V falls into) - By an omission
(denying needles in pocket).
Battery - Unlawful
Battery cannot be done in self defence or with the victim’s consent.
Consent can be express or implied.
Battery - force
force in battery AR means: any touching of a person however slight.
An omission can constitute force.
the merest touch - it doesn’t have to be rude / hostile or aggressive.
Touching someone’s clothes whilst being worn is enough.
Force need not be applied directly: ( acid in the hand dryer) - although satisfies AR may not satisfy mens Rea.
Where the battery results in harm which is more than trivial the defendant will be liable for a more series offence.
Battery can be from an omission ( this means creating the danger ( it is the case when the D said they did not have any needles on them and then the police officer pricked finger).
Battery - Unlawful
It must be unlawful.
Consent can make the application of force lawful; ( and present a battery from being committed).
Certain amount of physical contact must be accepted to move around in society ( jostling in supermarket ). It. must go beyond the implied consent.
Mens Rea of Battery
Intention OR recklessness as to applying unlawful force on another person.
Battery is a basic intent crime.
Examples of Assault
threats of violence only
victim anticipates violence but there is NO actual touching.
Some words or physical movement are sufficient.
Silence can be sufficient in some circumstances.
Examples of Battery
A mere touch of clothing ( Direct)
Throwing something into a crowd (in direct)
Omission ( not telling someone needles in pocket)
AR + MR Assaut
AR: Causing the victim to apprehend immediate unlawful personal violence.
MR : intention or recklessness as to causing the victim to apprehend immediate and unlawful personal violence.
AR + MR Battery
AR: applying unlawful force to another.
MR: Intetion o r recklessness;essness as to applying unlawful fore.
Where is assault defined?
Assault is a common law offence - the penalties and procedures are set out in s.39 CJA but it is defined in the case of Fagan v MPC.