Inflict

Question 1

What does inflict mean?

Answer 1

The term inflict has been given a wide interpretation by the courts and simply means to cause the harm.

Question 2

For the defendant to have inflicted GBH does there need to be direct physical force?

Answer 2

The courts have held that there does not need to be direct physical force, and the defendant can still be liable if their actions cause the injury.

Question 3

In what case was this illustrated?

Answer 3

This was confirmed in R v Martin, where the defendant caused panic in a theatre which resulted in people being injured while trying to escape.