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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 » Danielle Beccan murder: Andrews & Kelly guilty

Danielle Beccan murder: Andrews & Kelly guilty

12/10/2005

The senseless murder of schoolgirl Danielle Beccan was a cowardly and despicable crime, said Nottinghamshire Crown Prosecution Service's Prosecution Team Leader, Martin Bramley.

Mr Bramley said: "The tragic death of Danielle, who was only 14 when she was shot while walking home after a night out with friends at the city's Goose Fair, horrified people across Nottinghamshire and throughout the country.

"This was a cowardly and despicable crime. The court heard witnesses describe the contempt shown by the gunman who they said made a victory salute as the car was driven away."

The prosecution case was that the shot came from a passing car and that Junior Andrews and Mark Kelly were its driver and passenger at the time. At the end of the trial, which lasted just over a month, the jury decided that the two men were responsible for her death.

Mr Bramley said: "By pleading not guilty, Andrews and Kelly made Danielle's friends relive the moment they heard shots fired from a car and realised Danielle had been shot.

"Everyone in the court who heard Danielle's friends describe how they tried to help her as she lay dying was moved by their accounts. This crime will not easily be forgotten.

"When the CPS received the evidence from the police we felt it was sufficient for a realistic prospect of conviction and that it was in the public interest for the case to be heard. The jury has now decided that Junior Andrews and Mark Kelly are guilty of the murder of Danielle Beccan.

"This has been a distressing case for Danielle's family and friends and our thoughts are with them today.

For further information contact CPS Press Office on 020 7796 8180.