ABSTRACT
Fatal and Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person 2 INTRODUCTION The questions in this chapter concern offences against the person, ranging from common assault at one end of the spectrum to murder at the other. Offences of this type are graded partly in terms of the harm caused but also by reference to the mens rea of the accused. The harm caused will define the offences that ought to be considered. Thus, if D kills V, then liability for murder, manslaughter and/or causing death by dangerous driving, if appropriate, should be considered. Similarly, if as a result of D’s actions V has suffered serious bodily harm, then liability for the offences under ss 18, 20 and 23 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861 should be examined. In addition, offences contrary to the Sexual Offences Act 2003 are considered.
