case law

• What was the outcome of R v Cato (1976)?

  Defendant convicted of unlawful manslaughter
• What unlawful act did the defendant commit in R v Cato (1976)?


  Administering a noxious substance
• How did the victim die in R v Cato (1976)?

  From the effects of the heroin injection
• In R v Rogers (Stephen 2003), what substance was injected?

  Heroin
• What role did the defendant play in R v Rogers (Stephen 2003)?

  Applied and held a tourniquet
• Why was the defendant in R v Rogers (Stephen 2003) found liable?

  He participated in the mechanics of the injection
• What was deemed immaterial in R v Rogers (Stephen 2003)?

  Whether the victim committed a criminal offence
• What was the main issue with causation in drug-related cases?

  When the defendant supplied an illegal drug
• What happened to O'Such in R v Dalby (1982)?

  He died after injecting drugs
• What was the court's decision in R v Dalby (1982)?

  Appeal allowed due to lack of causation
• What did the court state about the supply of drugs in R v Dalby (1982)?

  It caused no harm unless misused
• What did O'Such do after injecting himself in R v Dalby (1982)?

  Went to a disco and separated
• What was the nature of the substance injected by O'Such after Dalby left?

  An unspecified substance
• What was the significance of the timing of O'Such's death in R v Dalby (1982)?

  He was already asleep when Dalby returned
• What is the legal term for the crime committed by the defendant in R v Cato (1976)?

  Unlawful manslaughter
• What does "causation" refer to in legal terms?

  The relationship between an act and its outcome
• What does "noxious substance" refer to in legal terms?

  A harmful or poisonous substance
• What case did the House of Lords address in 2007?

  R v Kennedy [2007] UKHL 38
• What issue was addressed in R v Kennedy?

  Causation in unlawful act manslaughter
• Who was the defendant in the case?

  1. Kennedy
• What did Mr. Kennedy prepare for Mr. Bosque?

  A syringe of heroin
• What happened to Mr. Bosque after he self-administered the drug?

  He died from its effects
• What was Mr. Kennedy's initial conviction?

  Manslaughter
• What did the House of Lords conclude about Mr. Bosque's actions?

  His independent act broke the chain of causation
• What was the outcome of Mr. Kennedy's appeal?

  His conviction for manslaughter was quashed
• Why was Mr. Bosque's act significant in the case?

  He was a fully informed and consenting adult
• How did the House of Lords view the relationship between Mr. Kennedy and Mr. Bosque?

  1. Bosque's voluntary action severed liability
• Who was the defendant in the case?

  A heroin addict
• What was the victim's relationship to drug use?

  Also a drug user
• Where did the incident take place?

  In a block of flats on the stairwell
• What did the defendant prepare for the victim?

  A syringe of heroin
• What action did the victim take after receiving the syringe?

  Injected himself
• What did the defendant do after injecting himself?

  He saw the victim was very ill
• What did the defendant ask a passer-by to do?

  Call an ambulance
• What happened to the victim after the ambulance was called?

  The victim died in hospital
• What was the outcome of the defendant's appeal?

  The conviction for unlawful act manslaughter was quashed
• What did the Court of Appeal suggest regarding gross negligent manslaughter?

  A conviction might be possible if a duty of care is established
• What was determined about the victim's decision to self-inject?

  It was an intervening act breaking the chain of causation
• What is the case name associated with loss of self-control in 1992?

  R v Ahluwalia
• How long was the defendant subjected to spousal abuse in Ahluwalia's case?

  10 years