December 11, 2025
R v D (Dhaliwal) [2006] EWCA Crim 1139
D was accused of manslaughter and inflicting grievous bodily harm after his wife, allegedly subjected to long-term domestic abuse, committed suicide. The Court of Appeal held that psychological injury without a recognisable psychiatric illness does not constitute “bodily harm” under the Offences Against the Person Act 1861, upholding the terminating ruling. Facts On 22 February 2005, D’s wife committed suicide by hanging herself in an outhouse at the matrimonial home. D was indicted for the manslaughter of his wife and for inflicting grievous bodily harm upon her. After her death, evidence emerged suggesting that over a period of years she
