Case Summaries
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Case Summaries & Related Services
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 [1988] Crim LR 484
Example case summary. Last modified: March 13, 2026
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….
R v Brooks – 1983
Example case summary. Last modified: June 27, 2019
A father and daughter ate in the upstairs room of a restaurant together with another man. The daughter left the restaurant early in a rush….
R v Lipman – 1970
Example case summary. Last modified: June 27, 2019
Robert Lipman was convicted of manslaughter for killing his friend while on a bad LSD trip. She suffered two blows to the head and……
R v Jordan – 1956
Example case summary. Last modified: September 30, 2021
Medical evidence was to the cause of death – new evidence regarding the cause of death. Jordan, who worked for the United States Air Force, stabbed a man as the result of a disturbance. The victim died in hospital eight days later….
R v G and F
Example case summary. Last modified: July 4, 2019
After police searched one of the defendant’s (G) flat, they found indecent images of children on a laptop computer. The police then searched his mobile……
R v Kennedy – 2007
Example case summary. Last modified: September 28, 2021
It was held that as the victim was a fully informed and consenting adult, who had freely and voluntarily self-administered the drug without any pressure from the defendant, this was an intervening act….
R v Bateman – Case Summary
Example case summary. Last modified: October 4, 2021
Whether level of negligence amounted to gross negligence to warrant criminal liability.. A qualified medical practitioner was convicted of gross negligence manslaughter arising out of the delivery of a patient in child birth, Ms. Harding….
R v Hysa
Example case summary. Last modified: June 27, 2019
The complainant was a 16 year old girl who was celebrating the New Year in London. She had been drinking, as well as a suggestion of smoking cannabis……
R v Director of the Serious Fraud Office
Example case summary. Last modified: September 27, 2021
The Director of the Serious Fraud Office started investigating certain allegations of corruption against a UK company. Among other things……
R v Kemp (1957) 1 QB 399
Example case summary. Last modified: July 4, 2019
The defendant assaulted his wife with a hammer. He had no previous history of violence and no apparent motive. He was charged with causing……
R v Shivpuri – 1986
Example case summary. Last modified: September 30, 2021
Whether a person can be convicted for attempting an impossible crime – Importation of prohibited drugs. Pyare Shivpuri (S) was persuaded to act as a drugs courier. S collected a suitcase which contained several packages of white powder….
R v SS Home Department, ex parte Fire Brigades Union
Example case summary. Last modified: October 25, 2021
A House of Lords case concerning how compensation is awarded under the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme. The case is considered a very important ruling on the extent of the Ministerial prerogative powers….
R v Brown 2011
Example case summary. Last modified: July 4, 2019
The appellant, Brown was married to the victim and they had two children. The couple was undergoing a divorce. Brown had contact with the……
R v Pittwood – 1902
Example case summary. Last modified: September 28, 2021
The defendant was employed by a railway company to operate the gate at a level crossing across the track. He lifted the gate to allow a cart to pass across, but then failed to put it back down before going for his lunch break….
R v Cooper; R v Schaub
Example case summary. Last modified: June 28, 2019
The defendants met the victim at a bar and asked her to show them where the nightclubs were in the area. The victim ultimately……
R v Rimmington and R v Goldstein
Example case summary. Last modified: October 5, 2021
Rimmington sent hundreds of letters containing racial offensive material to several people. Goldstein sent some salt and a cheque in repayment of a debt to a friend; he intended the inclusion of salt to be a joke but a post worker mistook it for anthrax…
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