Section 20 - GBH

• Defined in the Offences Against the Persons Act 1861
• Defined as the infliction of Grievous Bodily Harm and/or malicious wounding.
• Actus Reus

  The act of inflicting GBH (serious harm) and/or wounding - this is defined as the breaking of two layers of the skin (Eisenhower).
• Actus Reus

  The age, health etc of the Victim needs to be considered (Bollom).
• Actus Reus

  GBH included knowingly transmitting a biological disease (Dica) and severe depression/psychiatric harm (Burstow).
• Mens Rea

  The defendant must either intend (Mohan) or be subjectively reckless (Cunningham) as to causing some harm. The defendant does not have to intend serious ham (Parmenter).
• Parmenter


  The defendant does not have to intend serious harm.