S.18 offences against the Persons Act 1861(Wounding or GBH with intent),S.20 offences against the Persons Act 1861(malicious wounding or infilct GBH)

1.S.18 offences against the Persons Act 1861(Wounding or GBH with intent)

This offence is an indictable offence which the maximum sentence is life imprisonment under the S.18 of the offences against the Persons Act 1861. 

More serious than S.20 

The Actus Reus of S.18: 

-Unlawfully and maliciously 

-Wound or 

-Inflict any GBH 

1.Wounding: 

Eisenhower(1984):defined wounding is a break or cut in the continuity of the whole of the skin, internal bleeding will not suffice. 

2.GBH: 

Smith(1961):defined GBH as a 'serious harm'. The harm does not need to be life threatening. 

Brown and Stratton (1998):Multiple counts of ABH can be taken together to charge the defendant with GBH. 

Burstow(1997):psychological harm may also be regarded as GBH, provided that it is sufficiently serious. 

3.Inflict: 

The rules of causation......(Factural+ Legal causation....) 

The Mens Rea of S.18: 

-A specific intent offence-Intention to cause some GBH or to resist arrest. 

1.Intention to cause serious harm(GBH): 

Direct intention:The defendant have own decisions to bring own the prohibited consequences.(Mohan) 

Oblique …