Grievous Bodily Harm (GBH) (Paper 1)

Question 1

GBH is defined by sections 20 and 18 of which Act

Answer 1

Offences Against the Person Act 1861

Question 2

Wording of section 20

Answer 2

D wounds or inflicts any GBH upon the victim with the intention or recklessness to cause some harm

Question 3

Wording of section 18

Answer 3

D wounds or causes GBH with intent, or with intent to resist arrest

Question 4

Actus reus of s 20 and 18 is the same, the only difference is

Answer 4

Mens rea

Question 5

Definition of wound

Answer 5

A cut or a break in both layers of the skin (Eisenhower)

Question 6

Case which defined GBH injury

Answer 6

DPP v Smith

Question 7

Definition of GBH injury

Answer 7

Nothing more or nothing less than really serious harm, but it does not have to be life threatening

Question 8

Examples of GBH injuries

Answer 8

Serious cuts/wounds, broken bones, injuries requiring lengthy treatment, substantial blood loss, permanent loss of sensory function, serious psychological injuries, biological harm

Question 9

Decision in Bollom

Answer 9

Allowed to take into account the victim’s age and health

Question 10

Case which held an accumulation of less serious injuries can amount to GBH

Answer 10

Brown & Stratton

Question 11

Mens rea of s. 20 GBH

Answer 11

Intention or recklessness to cause some injury (Mowatt)

Question 12

Mens rea of s. 18 GBH

Answer 12

Intention to cause GBH or intent to resist arrest (Morrison)