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Prosecuting Homicide

Murder and manslaughter are two of the offences that constitute homicide.

Manslaughter can be committed in one of three ways:

  1. killing with the intent for murder but where there is provocation, diminished responsibility or a suicide pact.
  2. conduct that was grossly negligent given the risk of death, and resulted in death.
  3. conduct, taking the form of an unlawful act involving a danger of some harm, that caused death.

With some exceptions, the crime of murder is committed, where a person:

  • of sound mind and discretion (i.e. sane):
  • unlawfully kills (i.e. not self-defence or other justified killing)
  • any reasonable creature (human being)
  • in being (born alive and breathing through its own lungs)
  • under the Queen's Peace
  • with intent to kill or cause grievous bodily harm.

There are other specific homicide offences, for example, infanticide, causing death by dangerous driving, and corporate manslaughter.

Find out more about prosecuting homicide

Crimes involving young people

Young people as victims and witnesses

Being a victim or a witness to a crime is not easy, but we work hard to bring offenders to justice. Throughout the justice process we will support young victims and witnesses and treat them with dignity.

Find out more about how we support young victims and witnesses

Youth crime

The Crown Prosecution Service acts in partnership with other agencies such as the police, the youth justice board, children's services, courts and youth offending teams. Each area of the CPS has a youth justice specialist who oversees the prosecution of youth crime in their area.

Find out more about how we prosecute youth crime

Home » News Centre » Press Releases » Conviction for murder of Kiyan Prince

Conviction for murder of Kiyan Prince

02/07/2007

Following a retrial, a jury at the Old Bailey today convicted a 17-year old youth for the murder of 15 year-old Kiyan Prince who was stabbed outside his school, the London Academy in Edgware, in May 2006.

Jaswant Narwal, District Crown Prosecutor at the Old Bailey Trials Unit said:

"As well as the deep loss felt by Kiyan's parents this senseless knife killing has shaken an entire school and community. Knives, including penknives, are not toys and we prosecuted for murder as we would if a gun had been used. No child should live with the risk of seeing their friends frightened, wounded, or killed and certainly not outside their own school.

We thank the Prince family for their determination to follow us through these trials and also the pupils and teacher from the London Academy who bravely gave evidence a third time."

Media enquiries to CPS Press Office on 020 7796 8102.