Violent Crime Lawyers

Acid and other corrosive substances, such as bleach or ammonia, may be used as weapons.

Acid and corrosive substance attacks have a devastating effect on victims.  The long-term consequences of acid or corrosive substance attacks may include blindness, permanent scarring of the face and body, and social or psychological difficulties.

The most appropriate charges are likely to be drawn from the following:

• Throwing (or applying) corrosive fluid on a person with intent to burn, maim, disfigure or disable or to do some grievous bodily harm (section 29 Offences against the Person Act 1861) – maximum sentence: life; 
• Possession of an offensive weapon (section 1 Prevention of Crime Act 1953) – 4 years’ maximum imprisonment; 
• Possession of offensive weapon on school premises (section 139A(2) Criminal Justice Act 1988) – 4 years’ maximum imprisonment; 
• Threatening with an offensive weapon in a public place (section 1A Prevention of Crime Act 1953) – 4 years’ maximum imprisonment; 
• Threatening with an offensive weapon on school premises or in a public place (section 139AA Criminal Justice Act 1988) – 4 years’ maximum imprisonment; 
• Causing grievous bodily harm with intent (section 18 Offences against the Person Act 1861) – maximum sentence: life.

Assaulting, or physically hurting another person, can lead to a number of different criminal charges. When deciding on the appropriate charge, prosecutors and police officers will consider how seriously the victim has been injured, the offender’s culpability in committing the offence and the likely sentence that the court will pass.

Three different offences can be considered, depending on the level of injuries involved. These different offences will also lead to different possible sentences if a person is found guilty.

• Common Assault – where there is no injury, or injuries are not serious. It carries a maximum penalty of six months’ imprisonment and/or a fine.
• Actual Bodily Harm (ABH) – where there is serious injury. ABH carries a maximum penalty of 6 months imprisonment in the magistrates’ court, and five years’ in the Crown Court and/or an unlimited fine not exceeding the statutory maximum.
• Inflicting Grievous Bodily Harm (GBH) or wounding – The offence of inflicting GBH is where there is a really serious injury, and it carries a maximum penalty of five years’ imprisonment. 
• Causing GBH or wounding with intent to cause GBH – where there is really serious injury, and an intention to cause GBH. The offence of causing GBH with intent carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.

The UK has a wide range of laws which restrict the use and possession of guns and knives, as well as other offensive weapons. It is an offence to use a gun or knife to harm or threaten another person, and also to own, carry, manufacture or trade certain prohibited weapons.

The maximum sentence for importing or exporting a prohibited weapon or ammunition is life imprisonment.

The Firearms Act 1968 includes more than 50 offences related to different categories of weapons, including firearms, prohibited weapons, shot guns, air weapons and imitation firearms.

There are a number of knife crime-related offences, including possession in any public place of an offensive weapon without lawful authority or excuse.

• In recent years, additional laws have been passed which create arrange of additional offences, including:
• converting imitation firearms into functioning firearms
• manufacturing or selling realistic imitation firearms, or bringing them into Great Britain 
• modifying an imitation firearm to make it realistic.