Automatism (non- insane automatism)

• What needs to be proven?

  1 ) Involuntary act

  2)Caused by an external factor
• Broome v Perkins?


  drove car with low blood sugar, became unpredictable

  guilty- had consciousness when getting in car
• R v Smith?

  medication for pre-menstrual tension led to violent outbursts

  waited outside police station, laid into officer

  Guilty- internal factor, not voluntary
• R v Roach 


  D attacked v with a knife, judge wrongly advised jury

  up to the jury to decide if it's external or not
• Self induced automatism?

  d must have no idea it would lead to consequence or be aware of possiblity but not taken preventative action
• What does self- induced automatism depend on?

  level of foresight of defendant

  specific or basic intent
• R V Bailey?


  Suffered diabetes, took insulin

  Attacked man , went to house with iron bar

  Failed - intent and reckless