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Violence and offences against the person.

From common assault to murder: assaults, wounding and GBH, strangulation, homicide, kidnapping and abduction, child cruelty and modern slavery.

24 offences · points to prove, mode of trial and maximum sentence

Quick reference

OffenceLegislationMode of trialMaximum penalty
Administering poison so as to endanger life or inflict GBHOffences Against the Person Act 1861, s.23Indictable only10 years' imprisonment
Administering poison with intent to injure, aggrieve or annoyOffences Against the Person Act 1861, s.24Indictable only5 years' imprisonment
Assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH)Offences Against the Person Act 1861, s.47Either way5 years' imprisonment
Assault on an emergency workerAssaults on Emergency Workers (Offences) Act 2018, s.1Either way2 years' imprisonment and/or a fine (on indictment); 12 months' imprisonment and/or a fine (summary)
Assault with intent to resist or prevent arrestOffences Against the Person Act 1861, s.38Either way2 years' imprisonment (on indictment); 12 months' imprisonment and/or a fine (summarily)
Assaulting a constable in the execution of dutyPolice Act 1996, s.89(1)Summary only6 months' imprisonment and/or an unlimited fine
Child abduction by a parent or connected personChild Abduction Act 1984, s.1Either way7 years' imprisonment (on indictment); 12 months' imprisonment and/or a fine (summarily)
Child abduction by another personChild Abduction Act 1984, s.2Either way7 years' imprisonment (on indictment); 12 months' imprisonment and/or a fine (summarily)
Child crueltyChildren and Young Persons Act 1933, s.1Either way14 years' imprisonment and/or a fine (on indictment); 12 months' imprisonment and/or a fine (summarily)
Common assault and batteryCriminal Justice Act 1988, s.39Summary only6 months' imprisonment and/or a fine
Controlling or coercive behaviourSerious Crime Act 2015, s.76Either way5 years' imprisonment and/or a fine (on indictment); 12 months' imprisonment and/or a fine (summarily)
False imprisonmentCommon lawIndictable onlyLife imprisonment
Human traffickingModern Slavery Act 2015, s.2Either wayLife imprisonment (on indictment); 12 months' imprisonment and/or a fine (summarily)
Ill-treatment or wilful neglect by a care workerCriminal Justice and Courts Act 2015, s.20Either way5 years' imprisonment and/or a fine (on indictment); 12 months' imprisonment and/or a fine (summarily)
Ill-treatment or wilful neglect of a person lacking capacityMental Capacity Act 2005, s.44Either way5 years' imprisonment and/or a fine (on indictment); 12 months' imprisonment and/or a fine (summarily)
KidnappingCommon lawIndictable onlyLife imprisonment
ManslaughterCommon lawIndictable onlyLife imprisonment
MurderCommon lawIndictable onlyMandatory life imprisonment (custody for life if aged 18 to 20; detention at His Majesty's pleasure if under 18)
Non-fatal strangulation or suffocationSerious Crime Act 2015, s.75AEither way5 years' imprisonment and/or a fine (on indictment); 12 months' imprisonment and/or a fine (summarily)
Racially or religiously aggravated assaultCrime and Disorder Act 1998, s.29Either way7 years (aggravated s.20, s.47 or strangulation); 2 years (aggravated common assault) – on indictment. 12 months' imprisonment and/or a fine summarily
Slavery, servitude and forced or compulsory labourModern Slavery Act 2015, s.1Either wayLife imprisonment (on indictment); 12 months' imprisonment and/or a fine (summarily)
Threats to killOffences Against the Person Act 1861, s.16Either way10 years' imprisonment (on indictment); 12 months' imprisonment and/or a fine (summary)
Wounding or causing grievous bodily harm with intent (s.18)Offences Against the Person Act 1861, s.18Indictable onlyLife imprisonment
Wounding or inflicting grievous bodily harm (s.20)Offences Against the Person Act 1861, s.20Either way5 years' imprisonment (on indictment); 12 months' imprisonment and/or a fine (summary)

Tap an offence for the numbered points to prove, key definitions, defences and case law.

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