Unlawful and Malicious Inflicting Grievous Bodily Harm (Section 20 Offences Against the Person Act 1861)

Question 1

Unlawful and Malicious Inflicting Grievous Bodily Harm (Section 20 Offences Against the Person Act 1861)

Answer 1

Infliction of grievous bodily harm (GBH).

wound - Defined as a cut or break in all layers of the skin - Eisenhower.

gbh - serious harm - dpp v smith
- assessment of severity includes v’s age and health - bollom

Serious psychiatric injury is sufficient - Burstow.

Inflicting diseases like HIV can constitute GBH - Dica,

D’s actions must lead to serious harm; causation is required - Burstow.

Question 2

Unlawful and Malicious Inflicting Grievous Bodily Harm (Section 20 Offences Against the Person Act 1861)

Answer 2

Intention or subjective recklessness to wound or cause GBH.

must foresee some harm, but not necessarily grievous bodily harm - Grimshaw