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Criminal Law: Necessity Defences and Preliminary Offences

Attempt: mens rea and impossible attempts

  • 3 things to know
  • Components 2 and 3

Overview

Mens rea of attempt, legal impossibility and attempt to do the impossible.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

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Key term

State the mens rea of attempt.

Numbers

What intent is required for attempted murder?

Key term

Why is the mens rea for attempted murder higher than for murder?

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

  1. 1

    State the mens rea of attempt.

    Model answer

    The defendant must intend to commit the full offence. Recklessness as to the consequence is not enough.

  2. 2

    What intent is required for attempted murder?

    Model answer

    R v Whybrow (1951) held that attempted murder requires an intention to kill. An intention to cause grievous bodily harm will not suffice, although it would for murder itself.

  3. 3

    Why is the mens rea for attempted murder higher than for murder?

    Model answer

    Murder can be committed with an intention to cause grievous bodily harm alone. Attempt requires an intention to bring about the full offence, which for murder is death.

  4. 4

    Can recklessness as to a circumstance suffice on a charge of attempt?

    Model answer

    Attorney-General's Reference (No 3 of 1992) [1994] held that recklessness as to a circumstance can suffice. The defendant must still intend the consequence element of the offence.

  5. 5

    Which case allowed recklessness as to consent on a charge of attempted rape?

    Model answer

    R v Khan [1990] upheld convictions for attempted rape where the defendants were reckless as to consent. Intention was required only as to the act of intercourse.

  6. 6

    Is a conditional intention sufficient for attempt?

    Model answer

    Attorney-General's References (Nos 1 and 2 of 1979) [1980] held that a conditional intention is sufficient for attempt. The indictment should describe the intention in general terms.

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