Main Terms and Definitions Criminal Damage
Criminal Damage — Main Terms And Definitions
Written and Compiled By Sir Hunain Zia (AYLOTI), World Record Holder With 154 Total A Grades, 11 World Records and 7 Distinctions, Educate A Change.
Criminal Damage
Definition
Under s1 Criminal Damage Act 1971:
• Destroying Or Damaging Property
• Belonging To Another
• Without Lawful Excuse
• Intentionally
OR
• Recklessly
Key Points
• Damage May Be Temporary Or Permanent
• Property Must Belong To Another
• Recklessness Sufficient
• Lawful Excuse May Prevent Liability
Main Cases
| Case | Principle |
|---|---|
| Roe v Kingerlee | Temporary Damage Sufficient |
| Hardman | Cleaning Costs May Constitute Damage |
| R v G | Subjective Recklessness Test |
Damage
Definition
• Harm Or Impairment To Property
Key Points
• Physical Harm Not Always Necessary
• Temporary Damage May Suffice
• Cleaning/Repair Costs Important
• Functional Impairment May Constitute Damage
Main Cases
| Case | Principle |
|---|---|
| Roe v Kingerlee | Mud Required Cleaning = Damage |
| Hardman | Washable Paint = Damage |
| Fiak | Functional Impairment = Damage |
| Morphitis v Salmon | Trivial Damage Insufficient |
Destruction
Definition
• Serious Or Irreversible Damage To Property
Key Points
• Complete Ruin Not Always Necessary
• Extent Of Harm Important
Main Principle
• Severe Damage May Amount To Destruction
Property
Definition
Under Criminal Damage Act 1971:
• Tangible Property Protected By Law
Key Points
• Real And Personal Property Included
• Human Body Not Property
• Physical Objects Required
Main Cases
| Case | Principle |
|---|---|
| A (Juvenile) v R | Human Body Not Property |
| Whiteley | Data Itself Not Property |
Belonging To Another
Definition
• Property In Possession, Control Or Ownership Of Another Person
Key Points
• Ownership Not Necessary
• Shared Interests Sufficient
• Defendant May Damage “Own” Property If Another Has Interest
Main Cases
| Case | Principle |
|---|---|
| Smith | Tenant Could Damage “Own” Property |
| Hall | Property Given For Specific Purpose Belonged To Another |
Intention
Definition
• Desire Or Aim To Cause Damage
Key Points
• Defendant Must Desire Damage
OR
• Know Damage Virtually Certain
Main Cases
| Case | Principle |
|---|---|
| Mohan | Intention = Aim/Purpose |
| Woollin | Virtual Certainty Principle |
Written and Compiled By Sir Hunain Zia (AYLOTI), World Record Holder With 154 Total A Grades, 11 World Records and 7 Distinctions, Educate A Change.
Recklessness
Definition
• Conscious Taking Of Unreasonable Risk
Key Points
• Defendant Must Personally Foresee Risk
• Subjective Test Applied
• Unreasonable Risk Taking Required
Main Cases
| Case | Principle |
|---|---|
| R v G | Subjective Recklessness |
| Caldwell | Previous Objective Test |
| Elliott v C | Objective Test Criticised |
Subjective Recklessness
Definition
• Defendant Personally Foresees Risk
Key Points
• Defendant’s Actual Awareness Important
• Modern Test Under R v G
Main Cases
| Case | Principle |
|---|---|
| R v G | Personal Awareness Required |
Objective Recklessness
Definition
• Recklessness Judged By Reasonable Person Standard
Key Points
• Earlier Caldwell Test
• No Need For Actual Awareness
• Later Rejected By Courts
Main Cases
| Case | Principle |
|---|---|
| Caldwell | Objective Recklessness |
| Elliott v C | Harsh Results Criticised |
Lawful Excuse
Definition
Under s5 Criminal Damage Act 1971:
• Valid Legal Justification For Damage
Key Points
• Honest Belief Important
• Belief Need Not Be Reasonable
• Consent/Protection Of Property Main Grounds
Main Cases
| Case | Principle |
|---|---|
| Jaggard v Dickinson | Honest Mistaken Belief In Consent |
| Denton | Belief In Permission Prevented Liability |
| Chamberlain v Lindon | Protection Of Property Defence |
Consent
Definition
• Permission Given By Property Owner
Key Points
• Honest Belief In Consent Sufficient
• Actual Consent Not Always Necessary
Main Cases
| Case | Principle |
|---|---|
| Jaggard v Dickinson | Mistaken Belief In Consent Sufficient |
| Denton | Honest Belief Prevented Liability |
Protection Of Property
Definition
• Damaging Property To Protect Other Property
Key Points
• Defendant Must Honestly Believe Protection Necessary
• Conduct Must Relate To Property Protection
Main Cases
| Case | Principle |
|---|---|
| Chamberlain v Lindon | Property Protection Defence Accepted |
Honest Belief
Definition
• Genuine Personal Belief Held By Defendant
Key Points
• Belief Need Not Be Reasonable
• Subjective Test Applied
Main Cases
| Case | Principle |
|---|---|
| Jaggard v Dickinson | Honest Mistake Sufficient |
Written and Compiled By Sir Hunain Zia (AYLOTI), World Record Holder With 154 Total A Grades, 11 World Records and 7 Distinctions, Educate A Change.
Aggravated Criminal Damage
Definition
Under s1(2) Criminal Damage Act 1971:
• Criminal Damage
• Endangering Life
• Intentionally Or Recklessly
Key Points
• Life Must Be Endangered Through Damage
• Recklessness Sufficient
• More Serious Offence Than Basic Criminal Damage
Main Cases
| Case | Principle |
|---|---|
| Steer | Damage Itself Must Endanger Life |
| Webster | Fire Damage Created Risk To Life |
| Sangha | Actual Risk To Life Required |
Endangering Life
Definition
• Creating Risk Of Death Through Damage
Key Points
• Danger Must Come From Damage Itself
• Threat To Life Essential
Main Cases
| Case | Principle |
|---|---|
| Steer | Bullets Not Damage Causing Danger |
| Webster | Fire Damage Endangered Life |
Arson
Definition
• Criminal Damage Caused By Fire
Key Points
• Same Elements As Criminal Damage
• Fire Must Cause Damage
• Intention/Recklessness Required
Main Cases
| Case | Principle |
|---|---|
| Miller | Failure To Stop Fire Created Liability |
| R v G | Subjective Recklessness Applied |
Omission
Definition
• Failure To Act Where Duty Exists
Key Points
• Creating Dangerous Situation May Create Duty
• Failure To Prevent Harm May Create Liability
Main Cases
| Case | Principle |
|---|---|
| Miller | Omission Created Criminal Damage Liability |
Functional Damage
Definition
• Interference With Use/Function Of Property
Key Points
• Physical Breakage Not Necessary
• Temporary Loss Of Use May Suffice
Main Cases
| Case | Principle |
|---|---|
| Fiak | Blocked Toilet = Functional Damage |
Temporary Damage
Definition
• Damage Lasting Short Time But Requiring Cleaning/Repair
Key Points
• Permanence Not Required
• Cost/Time Important
Main Cases
| Case | Principle |
|---|---|
| Roe v Kingerlee | Mud = Temporary Damage |
| Hardman | Paint Wash-Off Still Damage |
Written and Compiled By Sir Hunain Zia (AYLOTI), World Record Holder With 154 Total A Grades, 11 World Records and 7 Distinctions, Educate A Change.
Most Important Criminal Damage Terms To Memorise
| Term | Core Meaning |
|---|---|
| Criminal Damage | Intentional/Reckless Damage |
| Damage | Harm/Impairment |
| Destruction | Serious Damage |
| Property | Tangible Protected Object |
| Belonging To Another | Possession/Control |
| Intention | Aim/Purpose |
| Recklessness | Conscious Risk Taking |
| Subjective Recklessness | Personal Awareness Of Risk |
| Lawful Excuse | Valid Legal Justification |
| Consent | Permission |
| Honest Belief | Genuine Personal Belief |
| Aggravated Criminal Damage | Damage Endangering Life |
| Arson | Criminal Damage By Fire |
| Functional Damage | Loss Of Use/Function |
Most Important Criminal Damage Definitions For Exams
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Criminal Damage | Intentional/Reckless Property Damage |
| Damage | Harm/Impairment To Property |
| Recklessness | Conscious Unreasonable Risk Taking |
| Lawful Excuse | Legal Justification For Damage |
| Aggravated Criminal Damage | Damage Endangering Life |
| Arson | Fire-Based Criminal Damage |
| Functional Damage | Impairment Of Property Use |
| Honest Belief | Genuine Subjective Belief |
Written and Compiled By Sir Hunain Zia (AYLOTI), World Record Holder With 154 Total A Grades, 11 World Records and 7 Distinctions, Educate A Change.