ABSTRACT
However, whichever crime is charged, the meaning of ‘intent’ is the same. In criminal law, there are two types of intent:
■ Direct intent – this refers to someone’s aim, purpose or desire. ■ Indirect or oblique intent – this is much harder to defi ne. The question whether D intends a consequence of his actions when he believes that it is virtually certain, or very probable, is one that has greatly troubled English courts for the last 30 years. The House of Lords has dealt with the problem on fi ve occasions, all murder cases, the most recent in 1998.
