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GBH & ABH Solicitors UK

Are you in need of an ABH or GBH solicitor?

You must seek expert legal advice at the earliest stage. In doing so, you will be in the best position to secure appropriate representation.

Assault is a complex offence and is classified with varying degrees of severity. ABH and GBH have differing convictions and sentences. The Criminal Justice Act 1988, states that ABH and GBH are determined by:

The level of foresight
The motivation for the offence
Any injuries inflicted

What is GBH (grievous bodily harm)

GBH is the most serious assault as the injuries are deemed to cause serious detriment to a victim’s health, whether:

Physically – through wounding
Biologically – through the transmission of disease
Psychologically – if fear or paranoia are caused by the incident which results in a clinical condition like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The offence is classified under Sections 18 and 20 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861 (OAPA). Section 18 GBH is the more serious of the two types of GBH. In a Section 18 case the prosecution must prove that the accused intentionally inflicted grievous bodily harm and intended to do so.

GBH can be committed in two ways, which reflects the two offences, either intentionally or recklessly (Section 20) and may be classified by a number of factors, including:

Any injuries caused by the assault will be regarded as severely detrimental to a victim’s health
The law distinguishes between intentional GBH and reckless GBH, with the former being a more serious offence as outlined above
Sentence ranges for GBH are broad. Ranging from community orders to life imprisonment, the sentence will depend on the level of injuries and the final charge

What is the sentence for GBH?

A conviction under Section 20 could carry a maximum custodial sentence of five years, whilst under Section 18 (covering intentional offences) the maximum could be a life sentence. Usually, sentences for GBH range from 3 to 16 years in prison, but this depends wholly on the facts of the individual case. For Section 20 cases, depending on the injuries and factors involved, the court will sometimes consider imposing non-custodial or suspended sentences.

If the GBH assault involves the use of a weapon, the offence will consequently incur a more serious sentence, and will often be charged as a Section 18 case as the assault will be considered intentional. Seriously harming a victim recklessly or maliciously but without intent is classified as a Section 20 Assault – the less serious form of GBH.

What is ABH (actual bodily harm)?

ABH is a criminal offence contrary to section 47 of the OAPA. Classified as less serious than GBH, ABH can be classified by:

Injuries that are less severe than in GBH cases, but must still be of provable detriment to the victim’s health
The offence can be committed recklessly or intentionally, much like GBH. The intention need only be to apply unlawful force
Sentences that can often range from community orders to up to 3 years’ imprisonment, with a maximum sentence of 5 years custody for the worst cases, for instance where someone was convicted after trial.

As with GBH, ABH can be committed either intentionally or recklessly. The intention needn’t be to injure the individual, only to apply unlawful force to another.

ABH can be tried at either the magistrates’ court or the Crown Court. The location will depend on the circumstances and aggravating factors involved in the case.

Sentencing for ABH is less severe than GBH and the Sentencing Guidelines suggest sentences that range from a community order to a maximum penalty of 3 years’ imprisonment in the most severe cases – which are heard by the Crown Court. A prison sentence is more likely to be given if the assault is not a first-time offence.

What to do if you are accused of ABH or GBH

Whilst many will try to claim self-defence, this is a highly specialist aspect of any case and requires a careful consideration of the circumstances. Provocation is not a defence to any allegation of ABH and GBH, but every one of the self-defence cases heard each year will have their own unique characteristics and occurrences.

Appointing an expert within this aspect of law will ensure you are best served to reduce any potential penalties that could occur in the worst-case scenario.

Even if you’ve consulted the duty solicitor at the police station, you can instruct a criminal defence solicitor from Lawtons to assist you. We are available to represent accused individuals 24 hours a day to protect your rights and help you achieve a positive outcome in your case.

What defence is there against ABH or GBH charges?

Whether or not a legal defence applies to an instance of ABH or GBH will depend upon the unique circumstances of the offence,, as well as whether it’s a section 18 or section 20 GBH offence. However, there are some common defences that can apply:

Self-defence: using reasonable force to defend yourself, another person or your property
Accident or misadventure: not meaning to cause serious harm
Lawful sport: causing injury when playing according to the rules of the sport and not acting recklessly
Insanity: not being aware that you were committing a crime, due to mental illness
Duress: being forced to injure someone else under threat of death or very serious injury to yourself
Crime prevention: using force to prevent a crime from occurring

Why do you need an ABH or GBH solicitor if you’re facing charges?

With a charge as serious as ABH or GBH, it’s vital that you choose a legal firm with extensive experience in defending people against these charges. You need solicitors who know the best defence strategy to adopt, based on all the evidence and the unique circumstances of your case.

Our GBH lawyers in London have years of experience in such cases and we’ll leave no stone unturned in identifying the best way to safeguard your future. We’ll also guide you through the legal process, while offering personal support and understanding every step of the way. We understand that facing such charges – and potential imprisonment – is a worrying prospect.

FAQs about GBH & ABH

What is the minimum sentence for GBH?

GBH sentencing rarely results in financial penalties alone, the minimum sentence is typically community based sentences with probation or suspended prison sentences, even for first time offences. Wounding without intent carries a maximum five year sentence.

Which one is worse, ABH or GBH?

GBH is worse than ABH. GBH is used to describe the severest forms of assault. ABH is considered a less serious offence than GBH.

Is a broken bone ABH or GBH?

Typically it is GBH. GBH means causing serious injuries which severely affect the health of the victim, such as broken bones. Minor breaks eg. to the nose, would normally be charged as ABH.

What sentence will I get for ABH?

ABH sentencing varies depending upon the circumstances of each individual case, but as with GBH, there’s an important distinction between intentional and reckless offences. The worst offences can attract sentences of up to five years in prison. At the other end of the scale, first-time offenders might receive a fine and/or a community order.

What happens if you get charged with ABH?

After you’ve been charged, the police will have to prove that you have used force against or unlawfully hit someone, causing them injuries beyond bruising or grazing. As an either way offence, an ABH charge can go to either magistrates’ court or the Crown Court, depending upon the severity of the offence and the circumstances surrounding it.

What are the defences to ABH?

There are a variety of defences available to people accused of ABH. They include:

Self-defence: using reasonable force to defend yourself, your property or another person
Misadventure: essentially accidental injury
Lawful sport: as long as the accused hasn’t shown reckless disregard for the injured party’s safety
Trespassing: people have the right to use reasonable force to repel trespassers, as well as those about to inflict criminal damage to their property

Is ABH a serious assault?

Although less serious than GBH because it involves less severe injuries, ABH is still more serious than common assault, which might involve injuries such as bruises and grazes that the injured party could treat themselves. The consequences of being convicted of ABH are also extremely serious: up to five years in prison. Having expert legal advice and representation is vital.