Which statute and section defines unlawfully wounding or inflicting grievous bodily harm?

Which statute and section defines unlawfully wounding or inflicting grievous bodily harm?

• A. Public Order Act 1986, section 5
• B. Theft Act 1978, section 3
• C. Offences Against the Person Act 1861, section 20
• D. Criminal Damage Act 1971, section 1(1)

Answer: (C)

The offense of unlawfully wounding or inflicting grievous bodily harm is defined in the Offences Against the Person Act 1861, section 20. This section covers causing a wound or GBH to another person with malicious intent or recklessness as to causing harm. The key idea is that the actus reus is the wounding or GBH itself, and the mens rea is malice—either intending to cause harm or acting with recklessness about whether harm would occur. The term “unlawfully” signals that the act is without a lawful excuse. The other statutes point to different crimes: a Public Order Act provision deals with threats or harassment-related behaviour, the Theft Act addresses taking or handling property, and the Criminal Damage Act concerns damaging property.

The offense of unlawfully wounding or inflicting grievous bodily harm is defined in the Offences Against the Person Act 1861, section 20. This section covers causing a wound or GBH to another person with malicious intent or recklessness as to causing harm. The key idea is that the actus reus is the wounding or GBH itself, and the mens rea is malice—either intending to cause harm or acting with recklessness about whether harm would occur. The term “unlawfully” signals that the act is without a lawful excuse.

The other statutes point to different crimes: a Public Order Act provision deals with threats or harassment-related behaviour, the Theft Act addresses taking or handling property, and the Criminal Damage Act concerns damaging property.