Section 18 vs Section 20 GBH: Definitions, Key Differences a...

Introduction

Grievous Bodily Harm (GBH) is defined by the courts as “really serious harm”. It covers severe injuries such as broken bones, deep cuts, stab or bullet wounds, serious brain injuries and, in some cases, serious psychiatric injury. GBH sits just below murder and manslaughter in seriousness.

There are two GBH offences in England and Wales under the Offences Against the Person Act 1861: Section 18 and Section 20. The actual level of harm for both is the same. The key difference is the defendant’s state of mind. This matters because it drives charging decisions and sentence length. This guide explains those differences, the sentencing framework, and the practical factors that often decide how a case is charged and sentenced.

Note: This guide is general information, not legal advice. Always seek advice from a qualified solicitor.

What You’ll Learn

• What GBH means in law and how it compares with ABH
• The difference between Section 18 (with intent) and Section 20 (without intent to cause GBH)
• How “wounding” fits into GBH offences
• The role of intent and recklessness (mens rea) and why it changes the sentence
• Common examples and leading cases that shape how the law is applied
• Sentencing Council factors that increase or reduce sentence length
• Practical steps if you or a client is facing a GBH charge

Core Concepts

Statutory definitions in brief

• Section 18 GBH (OAPA 1861 s.18)

  • “Wounding” or “causing GBH” with intent to cause GBH, or with intent to resist or prevent lawful arrest (while being at least reckless as to causing some harm in that arrest context).
  • Maximum sentence: life imprisonment.

• Section 20 GBH (OAPA 1861 s.20)

  • “Unlawfully and maliciously wounding” or “inflicting GBH” upon another.
  • “Maliciously” means intentionally or recklessly causing some physical harm (not necessarily serious harm).
  • Maximum sentence: 5 years’ imprisonment (higher for certain aggravated forms not covered here).

GBH, ABH and “wounding”: how harm is assessed

• GBH means “really serious harm”. Examples include:
  • Fractures, deep lacerations, stab wounds, or serious head injuries
  • Serious psychiatric injury that is medically recognised (not mere fear or distress)
• ABH (Actual Bodily Harm) is less serious and includes injuries such as bruising, minor cuts, scratches or swelling—injury that interferes with the victim’s health or comfort but is not “really serious”.
• “Wounding” means a break to the whole skin (both layers). Internal bleeding without an external break is not a wound, though it may still be GBH if the injury is really serious.

Key point: The harm threshold for s18 and s20 GBH is the same. The difference between the offences is the defendant’s mental state, not the level of injury.

Mens rea: intent vs recklessness

• Section 18—intent is the difference-maker

  • The prosecution must prove an intent to cause GBH (really serious harm). Intent to wound alone is not enough unless it is the arrest-resistance route.
  • Where the allegation is “with intent to resist or prevent lawful apprehension or detainer”, the prosecution must show that intent to resist arrest plus recklessness as to causing some harm.
  • Use of a weapon, aiming for a vulnerable area (e.g., head/neck), repeated blows, or a planned attack may support an inference of intent to cause serious harm.

• Section 20—intention or recklessness as to some harm

  • For s20, it is enough that the defendant intended or was reckless as to causing some harm. The defendant does not need to foresee serious harm.
  • The injury that results must still be GBH or a wound, but the mental element is lower than for s18.

“Inflict” vs “cause” and how GBH can occur

• “Inflict” (s20) and “cause” (s18) once had different technical meanings. Case law has made clear that both can include indirect harm (for example, psychological harm or disease transmission).
• GBH can be inflicted without a direct assault, for example through sustained harassment resulting in serious psychiatric injury, or by knowingly transmitting a serious disease.

Psychiatric injury and disease

• Serious psychiatric injury can amount to GBH if it is medically recognised and significant. Temporary fear or shock is not enough on its own.
• Serious disease transmission (for example, where the defendant knowingly risks passing on a serious infection) can amount to GBH.

Key Examples or Case Studies

• Bar incident: same harm, different offence

  • Scenario A (likely s20): During a spontaneous confrontation, a single punch sends the victim backwards into a table of glasses, causing deep cuts requiring stitches. The puncher intended to strike but did not intend serious harm. The resulting injuries are GBH, but the mental element points to s20.
  • Scenario B (likely s18): In the same setting, a person smashes a glass into the victim’s neck aiming to cause very serious injury. The harm is GBH and the specific intent to cause really serious harm points to s18.

• Key cases in brief

  • R v Burstow [1997]: Serious psychiatric injury can be GBH. “Inflict” in s20 does not require a direct assault; indirect harm qualifies.
  • R v Parmenter [1991]: For s20, the defendant must intend or be reckless as to some physical harm, not necessarily serious harm.
  • R v Bollom [2003]: Assess seriousness in the context of the victim (age, health). Injuries to a child or elderly person may qualify as GBH even if the same injuries might be less serious on a healthy adult.
  • JJC (A Minor) v Eisenhower [1983]: A “wound” requires a break in the full thickness of the skin. Internal bleeding alone is not a wound.

Practical Applications

• Charging decisions and plea strategy

  • The CPS considers both the harm and the suspected mental state. If intent to cause serious harm cannot be proved, a plea to s20 may be accepted even where the injury is grave.
  • Defence teams often focus on showing lack of intent to cause serious harm to reduce a charge or sentence, particularly where the incident was brief, spontaneous, and without a weapon.

• Factors affecting sentence (Sentencing Council)

  • The court places the offence into a harm category (based on the seriousness of injury) and a culpability level (based on behaviour and mental state). These combine to produce a starting point, then the judge adjusts for aggravating and mitigating factors.
  • Common aggravating features (push sentence up):
    • Use of a weapon (including a glass or blade)
    • Targeting a vulnerable victim
    • Repeated blows or a prolonged attack
    • Group involvement or leading role
    • Previous similar convictions
    • Attack in a domestic context or in the presence of children
  • Common mitigating features (can reduce sentence):
    • Excessive but otherwise lawful self-defence
    • No weapon; spontaneous incident; minimal planning
    • Mental disorder or learning disability linked to the offence
    • Genuine remorse, early admission and assistance to the victim
    • Good character; positive steps to address behaviour (e.g., alcohol treatment)

• Typical sentencing ranges

  • Section 18 GBH:
    • Maximum: life imprisonment.
    • Serious cases have a starting point around 12 years’ custody.
    • Lower-end cases often start around 3 years’ custody.
  • Section 20 GBH:
    • Maximum: 5 years’ imprisonment.
    • Serious cases often start around 4 years’ custody.
    • Lower-end cases can have a starting point around 26 weeks’ custody.
  • An early guilty plea can reduce the sentence (up to one-third at the first reasonable opportunity).

• Practical steps if you are facing a GBH allegation

  • Instruct a criminal defence solicitor immediately; do not discuss the case with anyone else.
  • Preserve evidence: clothing, CCTV requests, phone data, messages, witness details.
  • Record any injuries you sustained and seek medical assessment (this may support self-defence or context).
  • Consider expert evidence where relevant (e.g., psychiatric reports, alcohol dependency, learning difficulties).
  • Do not contact the complainant; comply with bail conditions; attend all appointments and court hearings.

Summary Checklist

• GBH means “really serious harm”; it can be physical or serious psychiatric injury.
• Section 18 requires intent to cause GBH (or intent to resist arrest plus recklessness as to harm) and carries a maximum of life imprisonment.
• Section 20 requires intention or recklessness as to some harm (not necessarily serious harm) and carries a maximum of 5 years.
• The harm threshold for s18 and s20 is the same; the key difference is the mental element.
• “Wound” means a break in both layers of the skin; internal bleeding alone is not a wound.
• Indirect harm (including serious psychiatric injury or disease transmission) can amount to GBH.
• Sentencing uses harm and culpability categories with aggravating and mitigating factors.
• Early guilty plea credit can reduce sentence length.
• Lack of intent to cause serious harm is central to distinguishing s20 from s18.

Quick Reference