R v Holland (1841) 2 Mood. & R. 351

The defendant was involved in a fight in which he inflicted a deep cut on the victim's finger. The victim failed to take care of the wound or get medical assistance and the wound became infected. Eventually gangrene set in and the victim was advised to have his arm amputated. The victim refused and died.

The defendant was liable for his death despite the victim's actions in contributing to his own death.

 

Back to lecture outline on causation in criminal liability