Grievous bodily harm (often abbreviated to GBH) is a term of art used in English criminal law which has become synonymous with the offences that are created by sections 18 and 20 of the Offences against the Person Act 1861.
The distinction between these two sections is the requirement of specific intent for section 18.
The offence under section 18 is variously referred to as "wounding with intent" or "causing grievous bodily harm with intent". The words "with intent" refer to the specific intent required for this offence.
The offence under section 20 is variously referred to as "unlawful wounding", "malicious wounding" or "inflicting grievous bodily harm".
Read more about Grievous Bodily Harm: The Offences, Mode of Trial, Racially or Religiously Aggravated Offence
Famous quotes containing the words grievous, bodily and/or harm:
“A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.”
—Bible: Hebrew Proverbs, 15:1.
“The power, which all
Acknowledge when thus moved, which Nature thus
To bodily sense exhibits, is the express
Resemblance of that glorious faculty
That higher minds bear with them as their own.”
—William Wordsworth (1770–1850)
“I am a great eater of beef, and I believe that does harm to my wit.”
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616)