Coincidence

• Single transaction theory 


  Where the mens rea is formed before the actus reus completes the courts treat all individual acts as one
• R v Thabo Meli [1954]


  D and his gang tried to kill V, then threw him off a cliff. V was alive and later died of exposure to the elements. Single transaction theory.
• Continuing Act 


  If the mens rea has been formed after the actus reus has started, the actus reus is treated as a continuous act instead of single acts.
• Fagan v MPC [1969]


  D accidentally drove onto a policeman’s foot but refused to move the car after. Continuing Act.
• The principle of contemporaneity


  The mens rea and actus reus of the offence must be present at the same time.