Contained in S.18 Offence Against the Person Act 1861
two offences in S.18: GBH and wounding
referred to as 'GBH or wounding with intent'
Actus Reus for S.18 GBH/wounding:
GBH:serious harm ( Smith;Saunders )
broken bones, permanent damage, injuries to organs
serious psychiatric injuries ( Burstow )
serious infections ( Dica )
Wound: any break in the continuity of the skin ( Eisenhower )
it has to be bleeding
Mens Rea for S.18 GBH/wounding:
S.18 is a specific intent crime
Mens rea is ' intention to cause serious harm"
direct intent: the D's aim or purpose to cause serious harm ( Mohan )
oblique intent: the D aims to do something different but foresees the serious harm as virtuallycertain consequences ( Nedrick;Woolin )
Resisting arrest:
' A person who intended to resist or prevent arrest and has intention or recklessness to causing a wound or injury ' can be liable for S.18 Offences Against the Person Act 1861