R v Sharp 85 Cr App R 212

The appellant joined a gang who carried out armed robberies. He then wished to leave but was threatened with serious violence if he did so. He took part in a robbery on a post office in which the post master was killed. He was convicted of murder and his appeal was dismissed.

Lord Lane CJ:

"Where a person voluntarily and with knowledge of its nature joined a criminal organisation which he knew might bring pressure on him to commit an offence, and was an active member when he was put under such pressure, he cannot avail himself of the defence of duress." 

Back to lecture outline on the defence of Duress in Criminal Law