DPP v Little [1992] QB 645

Court of Appeal

Facts: The case involved a man charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm. The court needed to determine whether the conduct constituted assault, battery, or both.

Held: The Court of Appeal confirmed that assault and battery are distinct offences. Assault involves causing someone to fear immediate unlawful force, while battery involves the actual application of force.

Key Quote: Lord Lane CJ: "Assault is an act which causes another person to apprehend the infliction of immediate unlawful force... Battery is the actual infliction of unlawful force."

💡Levelup: This case is essential for understanding the distinction between assault and battery, clarifying that assault involves apprehension of force and battery involves the physical application of force.