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Law

10 Dec 2025

894

10 pages

A-Level Law: Understanding Non-Fatal Offences

user profile picture

Muslima Boltayeva @muslimaboltayeva_innz

Ever wondered what actually happens when someone threatens you or gets into a fight? Understanding assault, battery, and... Show more

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●
●
●
●
●
●
Assault and Battery (s.39 Criminal Justice Act 1988)
ASSAULT-no force/no touching
What is the actus reus for assault?→an act o

Assault - When Words Can Be Weapons

Assault doesn't require any physical contact - it's all about making someone fear they're about to be hurt. The actus reus (guilty act) happens when your actions or words make someone genuinely afraid of immediate unlawful violence.

Think threatening gestures like raising your hand, shaking a fist, or even staying silent on the phone. In R v Ireland (1997), silent phone calls over three months counted as assault. R v Constanza showed that 800 threatening letters could create assault if they caused fear of violence.

The key case Smith v Chief Superintendent of Woking (1983) proves that "immediate" can mean right now - even through a window. However, Tuberville v Savage (1669) shows words can sometimes cancel out threatening actions if they clearly indicate no violence will happen.

Remember For assault, you need either direct intention to cause fear OR subjective recklessness about causing that fear - as defined in R v Mohan and R v Cunningham.

●
●
●
●
●
●
●
Assault and Battery (s.39 Criminal Justice Act 1988)
ASSAULT-no force/no touching
What is the actus reus for assault?→an act o

Battery - When Force Gets Physical

Battery steps things up by involving actual force, but here's the thing - it doesn't need to cause injury. The actus reus is simply applying some force to another person, whether that's punching, slapping, pushing, or even the slightest touch.

Collins v Wilcock (1984) established that battery can be "the slightest touch" with hostile intent - basically any intentional touching outside what's normally acceptable. Force doesn't have to be direct either.

DPP v K (1990) involved a 15-year-old who hid acid in a hand dryer, which later injured another student. This proved indirect force still counts. Haystead v Chief Constable of Derbyshire (2000) went further - when someone punched a woman holding a baby and the baby fell, that counted as battery against the child too.

Key Point Battery can be a continuing act (Fagan v Metropolitan Police 1968) or even an omission if you fail to warn someone about danger, like needles in your pocket DPPvSantaBermudez2003DPP v Santa-Bermudez 2003.

●
●
●
●
●
●
●
Assault and Battery (s.39 Criminal Justice Act 1988)
ASSAULT-no force/no touching
What is the actus reus for assault?→an act o

ABH - When Things Get Serious

Actual Bodily Harm (ABH) under s.47 Offences Against the Person Act 1861 kicks in when assault or battery causes injury. You need the original assault/battery plus harm that's "not so trivial as to be wholly insignificant" (Chan-Fook 1994).

R v Miller (1954) defined ABH as "any hurt or injury calculated to interfere with health or comfort." This includes bruises, scratches, broken noses, causing someone to vomit, or even cutting someone's hair (R v Smith 2006). Losing consciousness, even briefly, definitely counts (T v DPP 2003).

Here's what's clever about ABH - you don't need to intend the injury itself. R v Roberts (1971) and R v Savage (1991) confirmed you only need intention or recklessness about the original assault or battery. If someone gets hurt as a result, that's ABH.

Watch Out Psychiatric injury can count as ABH, but simple fear, distress, or panic doesn't - it has to be genuine medical harm to your mental state.

●
●
●
●
●
●
●
Assault and Battery (s.39 Criminal Justice Act 1988)
ASSAULT-no force/no touching
What is the actus reus for assault?→an act o

GBH and Wounding - The Most Serious Assaults

Grievous Bodily Harm (GBH) covers the really serious stuff under s.20 and s.18 OAPA 1861. DPP v Smith (1961) defined GBH as "really serious harm" - think severe psychiatric harm, HIV infection (R v Dica 2004), or injuries that would be serious for that particular victim.

Wounding means cutting or breaking both layers of skin completely. JJC v Eisenhower (1983) clarified that internal bleeding without a skin break doesn't count as wounding - you need an actual cut through the whole skin.

R v Bollom (2003) shows that victim characteristics matter massively. Bruising on a healthy adult might be ABH, but the same bruising on a 17-month-old baby could be GBH because of their age and vulnerability.

Crucial Difference s.20 needs intention or recklessness about "some harm" (R v Parmenter), whilst s.18 requires specific intent to cause GBH or wounding - that's why s.18 carries life imprisonment versus s.20's maximum of 5 years.

●
●
●
●
●
●
●
Assault and Battery (s.39 Criminal Justice Act 1988)
ASSAULT-no force/no touching
What is the actus reus for assault?→an act o
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
Assault and Battery (s.39 Criminal Justice Act 1988)
ASSAULT-no force/no touching
What is the actus reus for assault?→an act o
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
Assault and Battery (s.39 Criminal Justice Act 1988)
ASSAULT-no force/no touching
What is the actus reus for assault?→an act o
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
Assault and Battery (s.39 Criminal Justice Act 1988)
ASSAULT-no force/no touching
What is the actus reus for assault?→an act o
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
Assault and Battery (s.39 Criminal Justice Act 1988)
ASSAULT-no force/no touching
What is the actus reus for assault?→an act o
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
Assault and Battery (s.39 Criminal Justice Act 1988)
ASSAULT-no force/no touching
What is the actus reus for assault?→an act o

We thought you’d never ask...

What is the Knowunity AI companion?

Our AI Companion is a student-focused AI tool that offers more than just answers. Built on millions of Knowunity resources, it provides relevant information, personalised study plans, quizzes, and content directly in the chat, adapting to your individual learning journey.

Where can I download the Knowunity app?

You can download the app from Google Play Store and Apple App Store.

Is Knowunity really free of charge?

That's right! Enjoy free access to study content, connect with fellow students, and get instant help – all at your fingertips.

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The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.

Stefan S

iOS user

This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.

Samantha Klich

Android user

Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.

Anna

iOS user

Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good

Thomas R

iOS user

Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.

Basil

Android user

This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.

David K

iOS user

The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!

Sudenaz Ocak

Android user

In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.

Greenlight Bonnie

Android user

very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.

Rohan U

Android user

I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.

Xander S

iOS user

THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮

Elisha

iOS user

This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now

Paul T

iOS user

The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.

Stefan S

iOS user

This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.

Samantha Klich

Android user

Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.

Anna

iOS user

Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good

Thomas R

iOS user

Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.

Basil

Android user

This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.

David K

iOS user

The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!

Sudenaz Ocak

Android user

In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.

Greenlight Bonnie

Android user

very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.

Rohan U

Android user

I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.

Xander S

iOS user

THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮

Elisha

iOS user

This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now

Paul T

iOS user

 

Law

894

10 Dec 2025

10 pages

A-Level Law: Understanding Non-Fatal Offences

user profile picture

Muslima Boltayeva

@muslimaboltayeva_innz

Ever wondered what actually happens when someone threatens you or gets into a fight? Understanding assault, battery, and the different levels of harm in criminal law isn't just academic - it's stuff that affects real situations you might encounter. These... Show more

●
●
●
●
●
●
●
Assault and Battery (s.39 Criminal Justice Act 1988)
ASSAULT-no force/no touching
What is the actus reus for assault?→an act o

Sign up to see the contentIt's free!

Access to all documents

Improve your grades

Join milions of students

By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Assault - When Words Can Be Weapons

Assault doesn't require any physical contact - it's all about making someone fear they're about to be hurt. The actus reus (guilty act) happens when your actions or words make someone genuinely afraid of immediate unlawful violence.

Think threatening gestures like raising your hand, shaking a fist, or even staying silent on the phone. In R v Ireland (1997), silent phone calls over three months counted as assault. R v Constanza showed that 800 threatening letters could create assault if they caused fear of violence.

The key case Smith v Chief Superintendent of Woking (1983) proves that "immediate" can mean right now - even through a window. However, Tuberville v Savage (1669) shows words can sometimes cancel out threatening actions if they clearly indicate no violence will happen.

Remember: For assault, you need either direct intention to cause fear OR subjective recklessness about causing that fear - as defined in R v Mohan and R v Cunningham.

●
●
●
●
●
●
●
Assault and Battery (s.39 Criminal Justice Act 1988)
ASSAULT-no force/no touching
What is the actus reus for assault?→an act o

Sign up to see the contentIt's free!

Access to all documents

Improve your grades

Join milions of students

By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Battery - When Force Gets Physical

Battery steps things up by involving actual force, but here's the thing - it doesn't need to cause injury. The actus reus is simply applying some force to another person, whether that's punching, slapping, pushing, or even the slightest touch.

Collins v Wilcock (1984) established that battery can be "the slightest touch" with hostile intent - basically any intentional touching outside what's normally acceptable. Force doesn't have to be direct either.

DPP v K (1990) involved a 15-year-old who hid acid in a hand dryer, which later injured another student. This proved indirect force still counts. Haystead v Chief Constable of Derbyshire (2000) went further - when someone punched a woman holding a baby and the baby fell, that counted as battery against the child too.

Key Point: Battery can be a continuing act (Fagan v Metropolitan Police 1968) or even an omission if you fail to warn someone about danger, like needles in your pocket DPPvSantaBermudez2003DPP v Santa-Bermudez 2003.

●
●
●
●
●
●
●
Assault and Battery (s.39 Criminal Justice Act 1988)
ASSAULT-no force/no touching
What is the actus reus for assault?→an act o

Sign up to see the contentIt's free!

Access to all documents

Improve your grades

Join milions of students

By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

ABH - When Things Get Serious

Actual Bodily Harm (ABH) under s.47 Offences Against the Person Act 1861 kicks in when assault or battery causes injury. You need the original assault/battery plus harm that's "not so trivial as to be wholly insignificant" (Chan-Fook 1994).

R v Miller (1954) defined ABH as "any hurt or injury calculated to interfere with health or comfort." This includes bruises, scratches, broken noses, causing someone to vomit, or even cutting someone's hair (R v Smith 2006). Losing consciousness, even briefly, definitely counts (T v DPP 2003).

Here's what's clever about ABH - you don't need to intend the injury itself. R v Roberts (1971) and R v Savage (1991) confirmed you only need intention or recklessness about the original assault or battery. If someone gets hurt as a result, that's ABH.

Watch Out: Psychiatric injury can count as ABH, but simple fear, distress, or panic doesn't - it has to be genuine medical harm to your mental state.

●
●
●
●
●
●
●
Assault and Battery (s.39 Criminal Justice Act 1988)
ASSAULT-no force/no touching
What is the actus reus for assault?→an act o

Sign up to see the contentIt's free!

Access to all documents

Improve your grades

Join milions of students

By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

GBH and Wounding - The Most Serious Assaults

Grievous Bodily Harm (GBH) covers the really serious stuff under s.20 and s.18 OAPA 1861. DPP v Smith (1961) defined GBH as "really serious harm" - think severe psychiatric harm, HIV infection (R v Dica 2004), or injuries that would be serious for that particular victim.

Wounding means cutting or breaking both layers of skin completely. JJC v Eisenhower (1983) clarified that internal bleeding without a skin break doesn't count as wounding - you need an actual cut through the whole skin.

R v Bollom (2003) shows that victim characteristics matter massively. Bruising on a healthy adult might be ABH, but the same bruising on a 17-month-old baby could be GBH because of their age and vulnerability.

Crucial Difference: s.20 needs intention or recklessness about "some harm" (R v Parmenter), whilst s.18 requires specific intent to cause GBH or wounding - that's why s.18 carries life imprisonment versus s.20's maximum of 5 years.

●
●
●
●
●
●
●
Assault and Battery (s.39 Criminal Justice Act 1988)
ASSAULT-no force/no touching
What is the actus reus for assault?→an act o

Sign up to see the contentIt's free!

Access to all documents

Improve your grades

Join milions of students

By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

●
●
●
●
●
●
●
Assault and Battery (s.39 Criminal Justice Act 1988)
ASSAULT-no force/no touching
What is the actus reus for assault?→an act o

Sign up to see the contentIt's free!

Access to all documents

Improve your grades

Join milions of students

By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

●
●
●
●
●
●
●
Assault and Battery (s.39 Criminal Justice Act 1988)
ASSAULT-no force/no touching
What is the actus reus for assault?→an act o

Sign up to see the contentIt's free!

Access to all documents

Improve your grades

Join milions of students

By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

●
●
●
●
●
●
●
Assault and Battery (s.39 Criminal Justice Act 1988)
ASSAULT-no force/no touching
What is the actus reus for assault?→an act o

Sign up to see the contentIt's free!

Access to all documents

Improve your grades

Join milions of students

By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

●
●
●
●
●
●
●
Assault and Battery (s.39 Criminal Justice Act 1988)
ASSAULT-no force/no touching
What is the actus reus for assault?→an act o

Sign up to see the contentIt's free!

Access to all documents

Improve your grades

Join milions of students

By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

●
●
●
●
●
●
●
Assault and Battery (s.39 Criminal Justice Act 1988)
ASSAULT-no force/no touching
What is the actus reus for assault?→an act o

Sign up to see the contentIt's free!

Access to all documents

Improve your grades

Join milions of students

By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

We thought you’d never ask...

What is the Knowunity AI companion?

Our AI Companion is a student-focused AI tool that offers more than just answers. Built on millions of Knowunity resources, it provides relevant information, personalised study plans, quizzes, and content directly in the chat, adapting to your individual learning journey.

Where can I download the Knowunity app?

You can download the app from Google Play Store and Apple App Store.

Is Knowunity really free of charge?

That's right! Enjoy free access to study content, connect with fellow students, and get instant help – all at your fingertips.

22

Smart Tools NEW

Transform this note into: ✓ 50+ Practice Questions ✓ Interactive Flashcards ✓ Full Mock Exam ✓ Essay Outlines

Mock Exam
Quiz
Flashcards
Essay

Most popular content: Tax Evasion

Most popular content in Law

Most popular content

English - inspector calls quotes and analysis

Quotes from every main character

English LiteratureEnglish Literature
10

Can't find what you're looking for? Explore other subjects.

Students love us — and so will you.

4.9/5

App Store

4.8/5

Google Play

The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.

Stefan S

iOS user

This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.

Samantha Klich

Android user

Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.

Anna

iOS user

Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good

Thomas R

iOS user

Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.

Basil

Android user

This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.

David K

iOS user

The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!

Sudenaz Ocak

Android user

In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.

Greenlight Bonnie

Android user

very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.

Rohan U

Android user

I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.

Xander S

iOS user

THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮

Elisha

iOS user

This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now

Paul T

iOS user

The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.

Stefan S

iOS user

This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.

Samantha Klich

Android user

Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.

Anna

iOS user

Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good

Thomas R

iOS user

Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.

Basil

Android user

This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.

David K

iOS user

The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!

Sudenaz Ocak

Android user

In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.

Greenlight Bonnie

Android user

very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.

Rohan U

Android user

I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.

Xander S

iOS user

THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮

Elisha

iOS user

This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now

Paul T

iOS user