The Offences against the Person Act 1861outlines various criminal... Show more
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31 Dec 2025
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GBH Section 20 and Section 18 Case Examples and Sentencing Guide
Section 20 OAPA Scenario Analysis
This page provides a detailed analysis of a potential Section 20 assault scenario under the Offences against the Person Act 1861. The analysis covers the key elements required to establish criminal liability for intentionally or recklessly inflicting grievous bodily harm (GBH).
The analysis begins by examining the actus reus (guilty act) of the offense. For Section 20, this can be either unlawful wounding or inflicting GBH.
Definition: Unlawful wounding is defined as a "break in the continuity of the skin" (JCC v Eisenhower), while GBH is defined as "really serious harm" (DPP v Smith).
The scenario presented appears to satisfy the actus reus requirement, though specific details are not provided in the transcript.
Next, the analysis explores the concept of causation, which is crucial in establishing criminal liability.
Highlight: Causation is divided into two parts: factual causation and legal causation.
Factual causation is determined using the "but for" test, as established in cases like R v White and R v Pagett. This test asks whether the criminal consequence would have occurred "but for" the defendant's actions. Legal causation, on the other hand, uses the "more than minimal cause" test (R v Hughes), which requires the defendant's action to be a significant cause of the consequence.
The mens rea (guilty mind) element of Section 20 is then discussed.
Vocabulary: Mens rea for Section 20 GBH can be either intention or subjective recklessness to cause "some harm" to the victim.
This principle was established in R v Mowatt and confirmed in R v Savage & Parmenter. The analysis explains that intention can be either direct or indirect, with indirect intention occurring when the criminal consequence was virtually certain to result from the defendant's actions, both objectively and subjectively (R v Woolin).
The scenario suggests that indirect intention to cause "some harm" would likely satisfy the mens rea requirement, as it would be virtually certain that harm would result from the defendant's actions.
Example: If a defendant throws a heavy object at a victim, it would be virtually certain that some harm would occur, potentially satisfying the indirect intention requirement for Section 20 GBH.
In conclusion, the analysis determines that the defendant in the scenario is likely to be criminally liable under Section 20 OAPA for the injuries to the victim, as all elements of actus reus and mens rea appear to be satisfied based on the information provided.
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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
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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
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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
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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
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Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
GBH Section 20 and Section 18 Case Examples and Sentencing Guide
The Offences against the Person Act 1861 outlines various criminal offenses against individuals, including Section 20 GBH (Grievous Bodily Harm). This summary explores a scenario involving potential criminal liability under this act.
Key points:
- Section 20 OAPA 1861 deals with... Show more
Section 20 OAPA Scenario Analysis
This page provides a detailed analysis of a potential Section 20 assault scenario under the Offences against the Person Act 1861. The analysis covers the key elements required to establish criminal liability for intentionally or recklessly inflicting grievous bodily harm (GBH).
The analysis begins by examining the actus reus (guilty act) of the offense. For Section 20, this can be either unlawful wounding or inflicting GBH.
Definition: Unlawful wounding is defined as a "break in the continuity of the skin" (JCC v Eisenhower), while GBH is defined as "really serious harm" (DPP v Smith).
The scenario presented appears to satisfy the actus reus requirement, though specific details are not provided in the transcript.
Next, the analysis explores the concept of causation, which is crucial in establishing criminal liability.
Highlight: Causation is divided into two parts: factual causation and legal causation.
Factual causation is determined using the "but for" test, as established in cases like R v White and R v Pagett. This test asks whether the criminal consequence would have occurred "but for" the defendant's actions. Legal causation, on the other hand, uses the "more than minimal cause" test (R v Hughes), which requires the defendant's action to be a significant cause of the consequence.
The mens rea (guilty mind) element of Section 20 is then discussed.
Vocabulary: Mens rea for Section 20 GBH can be either intention or subjective recklessness to cause "some harm" to the victim.
This principle was established in R v Mowatt and confirmed in R v Savage & Parmenter. The analysis explains that intention can be either direct or indirect, with indirect intention occurring when the criminal consequence was virtually certain to result from the defendant's actions, both objectively and subjectively (R v Woolin).
The scenario suggests that indirect intention to cause "some harm" would likely satisfy the mens rea requirement, as it would be virtually certain that harm would result from the defendant's actions.
Example: If a defendant throws a heavy object at a victim, it would be virtually certain that some harm would occur, potentially satisfying the indirect intention requirement for Section 20 GBH.
In conclusion, the analysis determines that the defendant in the scenario is likely to be criminally liable under Section 20 OAPA for the injuries to the victim, as all elements of actus reus and mens rea appear to be satisfied based on the information provided.
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?
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4.8/5
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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