attempts

• charged with an attempt where intending to commit complete offence but fail to execute by their acts
• attempts are prosecuted because the defendant is still blameworthy
• s4(1) criminal attempts act 1981: the attempt offence is punishable in general to the same extent as the complete offence
• the defendant will get the same sentence as if they actually completed the offence
• white: defendant placed cyanide in mothers drink but she died before drinking it. he was convicted of attempted murder.
• in order to be liable for an attempt, offence being attempted must be indictable or triable either way
• s1(1) criminal attempts act 1981: ‘if, with intent to commit an offence to which this section applies, a person does an act which is more than merely preparatory to the commission of the offence, he is guilty of attempting to commit that offence’