Case Summaries
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R v Barnes – 2004
Example case summary. Last modified: October 4, 2021
Criminal law – Assault – Inflicting grievous bodily harm in the course of sport. The appellant was an amateur footballer. He was playing a football match, went in for a tackle and seriously injured his opponent’s leg. …
R v Hampden – Summary
Example case summary. Last modified: June 28, 2019
Ship money was a type of tax originating from medieval times. It was historically collected as part of the Royal Prerogative from coastal……
R v Hennessy – 1989
Example case summary. Last modified: October 28, 2021
Diabetes and defences – automatism or insanity in hyperglycaemic cases. The appellant (a diabetic) was apprehended while driving a stolen car. He later collapsed at the police station it became apparent that he was having a diabetic episode….
R v Galliano – 1996
Example case summary. Last modified: June 27, 2019
G was charged with the murder of his wife, A. There was evidence that either G killed A himself, or that a killer carried out the……
R v Pagett – 1983
Example case summary. Last modified: September 28, 2021
The appellant shot at a police officer who was trying to arrest him, and subsequently attempted to use a pregnant teenage girl standing nearby as a human shield to defend himself against retaliation by the officer….
R v Griffiths
Example case summary. Last modified: June 27, 2019
The defendant was a seller of limes who entered into a conspiracy with seven lime farmers to defraud the Ministry of Agriculture……
R v Thomas – 1985
Example case summary. Last modified: October 5, 2021
A school caretaker was convicted on two counts of indecent assault on female students. The first count concerned an 11-year-old girl’s allegation that the caretaker rubbed the bottom of her skirt and lifted it on two occasions, yet with no witnesses….
R v Ireland and Burstow
Example case summary. Last modified: October 4, 2021
Can psychiatric injury be considered bodily harm, and whether ‘inflicted’ ought be interpreted as requiring physical force. The defendant and victim were engaged in a short romantic relationship, which the victim ended. …
R v Church – 1966
Example case summary. Last modified: September 29, 2021
Mr Church and the victim were in a van for sexual purposes. The victim started mocking him and a fight ensued. He knocked the victim semi-conscious. After his attempts to rouse her proved unsuccessful, he panicked, thought the victim was dead and threw her into the river. …
R v Savage
Example case summary. Last modified: July 3, 2019
The defendant was charged with unlawful and malicious wounding contrary to Offences Against the Person Act 1861, s 20. The defendant had thrown a……
R v Smith – 1974
Example case summary. Last modified: June 27, 2019
Smith was the tenant of a ground floor flat. With the landlord’s permission, he installed some sound equipment and soundproofing material….
R v Rostron – 2003
Example case summary. Last modified: June 27, 2019
Both R and C appealed against their conviction. They argued that the golf balls were abandoned by their original owners and, thus, removal……
R v Sullivan [1984] AC 156
Example case summary. Last modified: October 28, 2021
The defendant, a psychomotor epilepsy sufferer, had an epileptic seizure during which he kicked the victim in the head violently. He was charged with causing Grievous Bodily Harm contrary to sections 18 and 20 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861…
R v St George – 1840
Example case summary. Last modified: June 27, 2019
The Defendant (St. George) got into an argument with the victim, a Mr Durant. During the course of this argument, the Defendant took out a gun and……
R v Ruffel – 1991
Example case summary. Last modified: June 28, 2019
The defendant had thrown an ‘acid house’ party which had attracted thousands of people. The party involved very loud music that continued overnight for some 12……
R v Saw – 2009
Example case summary. Last modified: June 27, 2019
Five appellants sought leave to appeal their sentences and a sixth appellant appealed against his sentence for burglary of an occupied dwelling house….
R v Dawson – 1985
Example case summary. Last modified: October 28, 2021
The defendant approached a petrol station manned by a 50 year old male. The defendants attempted a robbery with an imitation gun and a pick-axe handle. The defendants demanded money but did not touch the attendant who pressed the alarm button and the defendants ran away without obtaining any cash….
R v Jogee [2016] UKSC 8
Example case summary. Last modified: September 30, 2021
Parasitic Accessory Liability, intention and foresight of principal’s act. This joint case involved two separate appellants who had been convicted for murder on the basis of joint enterprise, after a co-defendant had actually killed the victim….
R v Caldwell
Example case summary. Last modified: October 21, 2021
The respondent had done some work for the owner of a hotel as the result of which he had a quarrel with the owner, got drunk and set fire to the hotel in revenge….
R v Richardson
Example case summary. Last modified: July 4, 2019
The appellant, a registered dentist, had her licence to practice suspended by the General Dental Council in 1996 but continued to treat patients……
R v Martin – 1881
Example case summary. Last modified: June 27, 2019
The defendant decided to play a practice joke on theatre goers by barring the exits to a playhouse, cutting the lights on the exits……
R v Moloney – 1985
Example case summary. Last modified: September 28, 2021
The House of Lords allowed Moloney’s appeal. He had not intended to kill his stepfather. Knowledge of foresight of the consequences of an action were to be considered at best material from which a crime of intent may be inferred. …
R v Graham – 1982
Example case summary. Last modified: March 18, 2021
Paul Graham had been drinking and taking drugs when he and his homosexual partner killed Graham’s wife. Graham claimed he was under duress as his……
R v Brown and Stratton
Example case summary. Last modified: July 4, 2019
Brown and Stratton were cousins who jointly attacked Stratton’s father as Stratton found his father’s ongoing gender reassignment embarrassing….
R v Parmenter – 1991
Example case summary. Last modified: July 3, 2019
The defendant was prosecuted under four counts of grievous bodily harm for injuries inflicted upon his infant son, including bruises……
R v Rai
Example case summary. Last modified: July 3, 2019
In June of 1996 the defendant, Rai, applied to Birmingham City Council’s social services for a grant in order to adapt the bathroom in his home for his……
R v Howard
Example case summary. Last modified: June 27, 2019
The victim was a 6-year-old girl who was sexually assaulted by the defendant in her home. On the night in question, the defendant……
R v Notman – 1994
Example case summary. Last modified: June 27, 2019
The defendant entered a shop from which he had previously been barred and caused a disturbance. A police officer arrived at the scene……
R v Bollom
Example case summary. Last modified: June 27, 2019
The defendant inflicted various injuries upon his partner’s seventeen month old child, including bruises and cuts. Whilst the injuries per se did not……
R v Moys
Example case summary. Last modified: June 28, 2019
A black and white mare worth between £600-£700 was stolen from her livery stables. The defendant sold her the next day for £480 and she was……
R v Bainbridge – 1960
Example case summary. Last modified: June 28, 2019
The defendant purchased oxygen-cutting equipment. Weeks later, the equipment was used in a bank break-in and was left behind by the thieves….
R v T [1990] Crim LR 256
Example case summary. Last modified: June 28, 2019
T was one of three defendants charged with armed robbery. Upon arrest, T could only recall some of the events that had occurred….
R v Majewski
Example case summary. Last modified: October 28, 2021
Voluntary intoxication no defence to offences of “basic intent” such as assault. The appellant (M) was convicted following a brawl in a pub in which he assaulted the landlord and customers and the police officers who arrested him….
Case Summary: R v Kirk – 2008
Example case summary. Last modified: February 18, 2025
Case Summary for LawTeacher.net about R v Kirk [2008], regarding admissibility of evidence including bad character, summing up in respect of consent, the approach for two defendants and sentence length….
R v Cole – 1994
Example case summary. Last modified: March 18, 2021
The appellant (C) was convicted of two robberies. He claimed the defence of duress on the basis that he was “desperate” for money as he owed money……
R v Millward – 1994
Example case summary. Last modified: June 28, 2019
H, employed by B, was driving a tractor when a trailer became detached from the tractor due to a poorly-maintained tow-hitch……
R v Devonald – 2008
Example case summary. Last modified: July 3, 2019
The defendant, believing the victim to have treated his daughter badly during their relationship, posed as a young woman to correspond with……
R v Cunningham – 1957
Example case summary. Last modified: October 25, 2021
Intention and the meaning of malice in s.23 OAPA 1861. The appellant removed a gas meter in order to steal the money inside. The meter however was connected to the neighbouring house which was occupied by the appellant’s future mother-in-law….
R v Konzani
Example case summary. Last modified: October 28, 2021
Feston Konzani was charged with three counts of inflicting grievous bodily harm contrary to s 20 of the Offences against the Person Act 1861. Konzani was HIV positive and aware of his condition. …
R v Grewal – 2010
Example case summary. Last modified: June 28, 2019
At the time of the incident, the defendant was a student who had become drunk after drinking too many free cocktails at a……
R v Mullen [2000] QB 520
Example case summary. Last modified: June 27, 2019
Mullen was brought back to England from Zimbabwe due to being wanted by the police. Upon his arrival, he was arrested and later convicted of conspiracy……
R v Stones – 1989
Example case summary. Last modified: July 4, 2019
The defendant, Stones, was caught running away from a house that had been burgled. When he was arrested and searched he was found……
R v Powell and English
Example case summary. Last modified: June 28, 2019
In the first case, the appellants Powell (P) and Daniels (D), and another person went to the house of a drug dealer. As soon as he opened the door……
R v G 2004 – Recklessness
Example case summary. Last modified: October 28, 2021
The test for recklessness after MPC v Caldwell. The two appellants were boys aged 11 and 12 respectively. They went camping at night unsupervised (and in fact without parental permission). In the early hours of the night they entered the back yard of a Co-Op shop and found old newspapers….
R v Jones and Smith – 1976
Example case summary. Last modified: October 22, 2021
The defendants, Jones and Smith, entered Smith’s father’s house and stole two television sets. At his trial, Smith said that his father had given him unreserved permission to enter the house. They were convicted of burglary and subsequently appealed….
R v Codere – 1916
Example case summary. Last modified: July 3, 2019
C appealed against his conviction for murder. At trial, expert witnesses had disagreed on whether he could be certified as insane….
R v Shayler
Example case summary. Last modified: June 27, 2019
Shayler was a member of MI5. Before starting employment with the service, he signed a confidentiality declaration in accordance with the……
R v Lowrie – 2005
Example case summary. Last modified: June 27, 2019
The defendant had made a series of repeatedly false calls to the emergency services. This was a consistent form of behaviour for the defendant……
R v Craig and Bentley – 1952
Example case summary. Last modified: June 28, 2019
Derek William Bentley (B), 19, and Christopher Craig (C), 16, attempted to burgle a warehouse. B carried a knife and a knuckle-duster……
R v Robinson – 1977
Example case summary. Last modified: October 5, 2021
The defendant was owed £7 by a woman. He approached the woman’s husband brandishing a knife, and a fight ensued during which the woman’s husband dropped a £5 note. The defendant picked up the £5 note and demanded the remaining £2 owed to him….
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