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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 Statements » CPS authorises charge of murder over death of Richard Mannington Bowes

CPS authorises charge of murder over death of Richard Mannington Bowes

15/08/2011

The Crown Prosecution Service has this evening (15 August 2011) authorised the Metropolitan Police Service to charge a 16 year old male with the murder of Richard Mannington Bowes. Mr Bowes died on 11 August 2011 after being assaulted in Ealing, London, on 8 August 2011.

The teenager is also charged with violent disorder and four separate burglaries of commercial premises. His mother is also charged with doing an act that tended to pervert the course of public justice.

Daren Streeter, Head of CPS London Homicide Unit, said: "The CPS has this evening authorised that a 16 year old male should be charged with the murder of Richard Mannington Bowes.

"At this stage, there is a reasonable suspicion that the 16 year old was responsible for the unlawful killing of Mr Bowes. It is clearly in the public interest that he be prosecuted for this offence.

"As with all prosecutions, we will keep the case against the defendant under review and consider any new evidence provided to us by the police during their ongoing investigation into this incident."

The 16 year old will appear at Croydon Magistrates' Court tomorrow morning, Tuesday 16 August 2011.

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