ABSTRACT
In relation to the first element, what is meant is either assault or battery (either one being sufficient), as defined in the previous two sections of this chapter. The offence may be committed therefore by a D who either puts the V in fear of immediate unlawful violence, or applies any unlawful force, however, trivial, to the person of the V. If the charge is based on an assault, of course, then there will be no need for there to have been any physical contact between the D and the V. Where the D threatens the V, causing her to step backwards, trip over, and bruise her hand, the actus reus of the s 47 offence is made out.
