R v Vickers [1957]

1. Facts:

• The defendant (D) was a burglar who attacked an elderly lady (V) during the commission of the burglary.

• D admitted that he intended to cause grievous bodily harm (GBH) to V.

2. Outcome:

• The Court of Appeal (CoA) held that the intent to cause GBH was sufficient to convict D of murder.

• The court confirmed that intending to cause GBH meets the mens rea requirement for murder.

3. Impact and Analysis:

• Mens Rea for Murder: The case established that a specific intent to cause GBH can fulfil the mens rea (mental state) required for a murder conviction. It showed that murder does not require the intent to kill but rather a serious intent to cause harm.

• Legal Precedent: This ruling reinforced the principle that severe harm (GBH) can be sufficient for a murder conviction, contributing to a clearer understanding of the intent required for murder.

• Judicial Interpretation: The decision emphasised the seriousness with which the law treats the intent to inflict serious harm, aligning the legal standards for murder with the gravity of the defendant’s intentions.