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Criminal Damage with intent or being reckless to endanger life

Date Produced: 23 August 2007
Title: Criminal Damage
Offence: Criminal Damage with intent or being reckless to endanger life   
Legislation: S1(2) CRIMINAL DAMAGE ACT 1971
Mode of Trial: Indictable Only
Statutory Limitations & Maximum Penalty: Life. Serious Specified Offence

Aggravating and Mitigating Factors

  • Intentional / reckless.
  • Motivation - revenge or political
  • Hate Crime
  • Pre-planned.
  • Extent of damage.
  • Significant public or private fear caused.

Relevant sentencing Guidelines

None but note

R v Hooof[1980] 2 Cr.App.R.(S.) 299 [Arson] there should be separate counts alleging intent to endanger life and reckless as to whether life might be endangered.

Relevant Sentencing Case Law

R v Dodd [1997] 1 Cr.App.R.(S.) 127
The defendant drove through the doors of a Magistrates Court which had disqualified him causing £34K damage. Guilty Plea. 4 years.

R v Mynors [1998] 2 Cr.App.R.(S.) 279
Guilty plea to damage reckless as to whether life was endangered. The defendant cut the gas pipe following an argument with his partner. 2 years.

R v Messenger [2001] 2 Cr.App.R.(S.) 24
Guilty plea to damaging property, being reckless as to whether life was endangered. The defendant cut the brake pipes of a motor car belonging to the step father of his former girlfriend. 3 years.

R v Mann [2001] 2 Cr.App.R.(S.) 507; [2001] EWCA Crim. 646
Guilty plea to two counts of damaging property, being reckless as to whether life would be endangered. The defendant poured petrol over a man in a pub. 4 years.

Ancillary Orders 

  • Compensation.

Consider Also 

  • ABSO

Links 

Archbold 23-15, 23-46
Thomas B.7.2

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