GBH and ABH

[Oleanda]

What is the difference between Greivous Bodily Harm and Actual Bodily Harm?

[twiglet4frog]

ABH is simialr to assault where u have caused harm such as a cut to the eyebrow or a broken arm to someone.

GBH is where u have caused several injuries that are considered far more severe than just a few cuts or scrapes.

If i punch u in the face it may be considered ABH whereas if i hit u a couple of times around the head with a baseball bat it would be closer to GBH because of the bigger injuries u sustain.

Hope that helps

[landie]

Actual bodily harm is minor cuts and bruises, whereas Grievous bodily harm (as the name implies) is broken bones and other serious injuries. Stab and gunshot wounds may also be classified as attempted murder.

[brooklyn77]

I would just like to support Landie's answer. And unlike Twiglet's answer, ABH does not include broken bones. This would constitute GBH. As I have first hand knowledge of the legislation I can confirm that Landie is correct. To state as fact: Common assault is pushing, and anything else where no injury is caused. ABH is bruising and small cuts. GBH is serious cuts and broken bones etc.. Above that is GBH with intent. The intent bit I am not sure about but I imagine its Intent to cause serious injury as opposed to say accidently causing GBH in the midst of a fight. Its not intent to kill otherwise that would be attempted murder. Hope that helps further.

[twiglet4frog]

oops, sorry!

[kempie]

Further to brooklyn77's answer the CPS has laid down Guidelines in the case of Common Assault:

• 4.1 An offence of common assault is committed when a person either assaults or inflicts a battery upon another person.
• 4.2 An assault is committed when a person intentionally or recklessly causes another to apprehend the immediate infliction of unlawful force.
• 4.3 A battery is committed when a person intentionally or recklessly inflicts unlawful force upon another.

Therefore assault is the threat of an attack and battery is the �infliction of unlawful personal force upon another�.

Force, which can include even light touching, is unlawful if the person upon whom it is exerted has not given his consent to it.

[Oleanda]

Thank you all for your answers, this is something I have fortunately never had personal experience of, but have often wondered about.

[Extrachilli]

About six months!