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Offences against the person.
Common Assault, Actual Bodily Harm and Grievous Bodily Harm.
The Offences Against The Person Act 1861 defines a number of different types of assault. These vary in seriousness and therefore the severity of the penalty that can be imposed by the Courts.
Listed in increasing order of severity of the penalty which can be imposed, the offences are:
- Common Assault
- Actual Bodily Harm (ABH)
- Grievous Bodily Harm (GBH) – Wounding (without intent)
- Grievous Bodily Harm (GBH) – Wounding (with intent)
If you are arrested or charged with an offence such as GBH, ABH or assault, contact us to speak to one of our experienced criminal defence solicitors.
Below are details of some of the offences included in the Offences Against the Person Act 1861. Click on a link to move to that section.
- Legal advice for Offences against the person
- Grievous bodily harm ( GBH )
- Actual Bodily Harm ( ABH )
- Common Assault
Legal advice for Offences against the person
If you are arrested you should ask for a Solicitor at the earliest opportunity. You have a right to legal representation. Rodney King & Partners solicitors are available 24 hours a day on 0117 929 3377. Please make a note of this number.
Advice at a Police Station is free of charge and will be paid for by Legal Aid. This does not depend on your financial circumstances.
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Grievous bodily harm ( GBH )
There are two separate offences of GBH: they are GBH with intent (to cause grievous bodily harm) and GBH without intent.
Grievous Bodily Harm is defined as ‘really serious bodily harm’.
The important distinction when it comes to sentencing is whether there is intent to cause grievous bodily harm or lack of intent.
If the attacker only intended to cause ‘some harm or pain’ and not ‘grievous bodily harm’ then this is a less serious offence carrying a maximum sentence of 5 years imprisonment and may be dealt with by either the Crown or Magistrates Court.
If there was intent then the offence will be dealt with by the Crown Court (rather than the Magistrates Court) and can carry a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.
We have a great deal of experience in defending clients charged with GBH. Please contact us for more information.
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Actual Bodily Harm ( ABH )
Actual bodily harm is an offence where harm has been caused, but the only intention of the attacker was to want to assault the victim. The distinction here is the lack of intent to cause injury. The harm caused will often be more minor such as bruises.
The prosecution therefore only has to prove that an assault was carried out, in addition to showing that bodily harm was caused; they do not have to show that actual bodily harm was intended.
ABH is an either way offence link textand may be dealt with in either the Crown or Magistrates Court. This offence carries a maximum sentence of 5 years imprisonment.
We have a great deal of experience in defending clients charged with ABH. Please contact us for more information.
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Common Assault
Common Assault is when someone either applies unlawful force on another person (for example by hitting or slapping), or makes them afraid that immediate force will be used against them. 
Significantly there does not need to be any injury caused.
Common assaults are offences which can only be dealt with in the Magistrates Court. These offences are usually dealt with by a fine or a community penalty but the maximum sentence is 6 months’ imprisonment.
We have a great deal of experience in defending clients charged with Common Assault. Please contact us for more information.
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