Transport police thing last night on BBC1

[Andy008]

When that guy in the toilet was arrested, I heard the officer say it was for ABH...yet the bloke with the broken arm looked fine, what actually had happened??

[dannydingbat]

Various grades of assault from common assault where, eg. someone flicks you with a hanky up to assault occasioning Grievous Bodily Harm (GBH). This clearly will be very serious visible damage. ABH (assault occasioning Actual Bodily Harm) is often difficult to judge but, if the arm was injured in any way, it would do as a means to arrest someone until it became more clear.

[Grunty]

I didn't see the programme but am surprised that someone with a broken arm looks fine. As Danny says, common assault needs no injury to prove it. Actual bodily harm can be just a reddening of the skin but it is unusual to charge it without a bit more injury. I would have thought a broken arm would qualify as grievous bodily harm.

[Andy008]

The guy who reported it had his arm broken anyway and it was in plaster. He alleged (I think) that the other bloke had looked over at him whilst he was urinating?

[Ward-Minter]

dannydingbat, I believe you are slightly wrong.

GBH including both Sect 18 and 20 wounding have incorporated psychiatric harm at least since I did my law degree. Serious/Visible? Serious yes, visible clearly not necessary.

I think Andy008 you may be old bill so you are aware that what one arrests for, what one is charged with, what one is convicted with, along with in station CPS guidelines, force Policy (i,e domestic violence) and indeed the mood of the custody officer ABH means jack sh1t. Now the old powers of arrest have gone, I envisage many more common assaults (summary) coming through the custody gates.

What I am led to believe is ABH is any "hurt". Silly phrase I know.

[dannydingbat]

WM - You are right about psychiastric harm. I was trying to relate the generalities to the circumstances of the case given.