automatism

• full defence resulting in aquittal
• defined in bratty v ag
• def - an act done by the muscles without any control by the mind such as a spasm or convulsion
• bop is on pros to disprove
• must be total loss of contorl (hill v baxter)
• not a reduced or partial loss (a-g no 2)
• must be an external factor
• external includes - bees - hypnotism - drugs
• stress (r v t)
• if from external state of insulin (quick)
• sleepwalking (burgess)
• self induced - defence to specific intent not basic intent (bailey)
• if charged with basic intent - p must prove d was reckless
• cannot use defence if intox (majewski)
• if they don;t know it will bring on a state they haven't been reckless (hardie)
• commits basic intent with prior intent can't rely on defence (coley)