Unit 2 - Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person, Property Offences, Preliminary Offences Flashcards
Which offences against the person are created by common law rather than by statute?
Assault and battery.
What is the definition of assault?
“The defendant intentionally or recklessly causes victim to apprehend immediate unlawful personal violence” - Fagan v MPC, 1969
What type of offence is assault and what is the maximum prison sentence for it?
Summary, with a maximum of 6 months.
Case - establishing that the victim must be aware of the violence i/r/t assault
R v Lamb (1967) - boys with gun
Case - establishing that apprehension can be caused by silence i/r/t assault
R v Ireland (1997) - silent phone call
What is the definition of battery?
“The defendant intentionally or recklessly applies unlawful force upon the victim” - R v Ireland, 1997
What type of offence is battery and what is the maximum prison sentence for it?
Summary, with a maximum of six months.
Case - showing that the application of violence need not be direct i/r/t battery
DPP v K (1990) - acid dryer
Case - showing the application of force need not be hostile i/r/t battery
Faulkner v Talbot (1981) - indecent assault
Case - showing that if reckless, the Defendant must appreciate the risk
R v Parmenter (1991) - baby rough-handling
What Act of Parliament defines the offences relating to actual bodily harm and grievous bodily harm?
Offences against the Person Act 1861
Which section of the relevant Act defines assault or battery occasioning actual bodily harm?
Section 47
What type of offence is assault/battery occasioning ABH and what is the maximum prison sentence for it?
Either-way, with a maximum of five years.
What are the three parts of the actus reus of assault/battery occasioning ABH?
- Assault/battery, with all elements of that crime
- Directly causing
- Actual bodily harm
What is the definition of actual bodily harm?
“Hurt or injury calculated to interfere with health or comfort” R v Miller 1954 - pre-divorce rape
Case - showing that ABH must not be trivial
R v Chan-Fook (1994) - French window
Case - showing that no additional mens rea is required i/r/t assault/battery occasioning ABH
R v Roberts (1971) - car jump
Which section of the relevant Act defines wounding and GBH without intent?
Section 20
What type of offence is wounding and GBH without intent and what is the maximum prison sentence for it?
Either-way, with a maximum of five years.
What section of the relevant Act defines wounding and GBH with intent?
Section 18