Criminal Law

309 Pages·2014·4.44 MB·English

by  Jacqueline Martin

KEY FACTS KEY CASES
Criminal Law
KEY FACTS KEY CASES

The K ey Facts Key Cases revision series is designed to give you a clear
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Diagrams, tables and bullet points are used throughout to make the law easy
to understand and memorise, and comprehensive case checklists are provided
that show the principles and application of case law for your subject.
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KEY FACTS KEY CASES
Criminal Law
Jacqueline Martin
First published 2014
by Routledge
2 Park Square, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxon OX14 4RN
and by Routledge
711 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10017
Routledge is an imprint of the Taylor & Francis Group, an informa business
© 2014 Jacqueline Martin
The right of Jacqueline Martin to be identifi ed as author of this work has been asserted by her
in accordance with sections 77 and 78 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or reproduced or utilised in any form
or by any electronic, mechanical, or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including
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permission in writing from the publishers.
Trademark notice: Product or corporate names may be trademarks or registered trademarks,
and are used only for identifi cation and explanation without intent to infringe.
British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library
Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data
A catalog record for this book has been requested.
ISBN: 978–0–415–83325–7 (pbk)
ISBN: 978–1–315–87167–7 (ebk)
Typeset in Helvetica
by Refi neCatch Limited, Bungay, Suffolk
Contents

PREFACE x
TABLE OF CASES xiii
Chapter 1
INTRODUCTION TO CRIMINAL LAW 1
1.1 The purpose of criminal law 1
1.2 Defi ning a crime 2
1.3 Classifi cation of offences 3
1.4 Elements of a crime 5
1.5 Burden and standard of proof 6
1.6 Criminal law and human rights 6
Key Cases Checklist 9
Chapter 2
ACTUS REUS 18
2.1 The physical element 18
2.2 Voluntary conduct 19
2.3 Liability for omissions 19
2.4 Causation 22
Key Cases Checklist 24
Chapter 3
MENS REA 32
3.1 Mental element 33
3.2 Intention 33
3.3 Recklessness 35
3.4 Negligence 37
3.5 Knowledge 37
3.6 Transferred malice 37
Key Cases Checklist 38
vi Contents
Chapter 4
STRICT LIABILITY 47
4.1 Absolute liability 47
4.2 Strict liability 48
4.3 Common law strict liability offences 48
4.4 Statutory strict liability offences 48
4.5 Justifi cation for strict liability 50
Key Cases Checklist 51
Chapter 5
PARTICIPATION 57
5.1 Principal offenders 57
5.2 Innocent agents 58
5.3 Secondary parties 58
5.4 Proposals for reform 61
5.5 Assistance or concealment after a crime 62
Key Cases Checklist 63
Chapter 6
INCHOATE OFFENCES 72
6.1 Inchoate offences 72
6.2 Encouraging or assisting an offence 72
6.3 Conspiracy 74
6.4 Attempt 78
Key Cases Checklist 81
Chapter 7
CAPACITY 88
7.1 Children 89
7.2 Mentally ill persons 89
7.3 Corporate liability 91
7.4 Vicarious liability 93
Key Cases Checklist 96
Chapter 8
GENERAL DEFENCES 102
8.1 Duress 103
8.2 Necessity 106
8.3 Marital coercion 108
Contents vii
8.4 Mistake 109
8.5 Self-defence 111
8.6 Consent 112
Key Cases Checklist 114
Chapter 9
MENTAL CAPACITY DEFENCES 131
9.1 Insanity 131
9.2 Automatism 133
9.3 Intoxication 135
Key Cases Checklist 138
Chapter 10
HOMICIDE 149
10.1 Actus reus of homicide 150
10.2 Murder 150
10.3 Voluntary manslaughter 152
10.4 Involuntary manslaughter 157
10.5 Causing death by dangerous driving 160
10.6 Infanticide 160
10.7 Causing or allowing the death of a child or vulnerable adult 161
10.8 Offences against a foetus 161
Key Cases Checklist 163
Chapter 11
NON-FATAL OFFENCES AGAINST THE PERSON 177
11.1 Common assault 178
11.2 Assault occasioning actual bodily harm 180
11.3 Malicious wounding/infl icting grievous bodily harm 180
11.4 Wounding or causing grievous bodily harm with intent 181
11.5 Racially aggravated assaults 183
11.6 Administering poison 183
Key Cases Checklist 185
Chapter 12
SEXUAL OFFENCES 197
12.1 Rape 198
12.2 Assault by penetration 200
12.3 Sexual assault 200
viii Contents
12.4 Victims with a mental disorder 201
12.5 Rape and other offences against children under 13 202
12.6 Sexual activity with a child 202
12.7 Offences involving family members 203
12.8 Other crimes under the Sexual Offences Act 2003 204
12.9 Bigamy 204
Key Cases Checklist 205
Chapter 13
THEFT 209
13.1 Theft 210
Key Cases Checklist 215
Chapter 14
OTHER OFFENCES UNDER THE THEFT ACTS 222
14.1 Robbery 223
14.2 Burglary 224
14.3 Aggravated burglary 226
14.4 Taking a conveyance without consent 228
14.5 Aggravated vehicle- taking 229
14.6 Handling stolen goods 229
14.7 Going equipped for stealing 231
14.8 Making off without payment 231
14.9 Blackmail 232
Key Cases Checklist 234
Chapter 15
FRAUD ACT 2006 248
15.1 Fraud Act 2006 249
15.2 Fraud by false representation 249
15.3 Fraud by failing to disclose information 250
15.4 Fraud by abuse of position 251
15.5 Obtaining services dishonestly 251
15.6 Other offences under the Fraud Act 2006 252
Key Cases Checklist 253
Contents ix
Chapter 16
CRIMINAL DAMAGE 257
16.1 The basic offence 257
16.2 Endangering life 259
16.3 Arson 260
Key Cases Checklist 261
Chapter 17
PUBLIC ORDER OFFENCES 266
17.1 Riot 266
17.2 Violent disorder 266
17.3 Affray 267
17.4 Fear or provocation of violence 267
17.5 Harassment offences 268
17.6 Racially aggravated offences 269
Key Cases Checklist 270
INDEX 276