R v Hyam [1975] AC 55

Facts: D, out of jealousy and anger towards her love rival, poured petrol through the rival's letterbox and ignited it. The fire resulted in the deaths of two children inside the house. D claimed that she did not intend to kill but only wanted to frighten the occupant.

Held: The House of Lords upheld D's conviction for murder, holding that D was guilty because she foresaw a "serious risk" of death or serious injury resulting from her actions, and this foresight was sufficient to establish the mens rea for murder.

💡Levelup : This case is significant for its early articulation of recklessness in the context of murder, where foresight of serious risk was held to be equivalent to intention.