First or second year LLB courses in criminal law in law departments. One-year full-time or two-year part-time CPE (common professional examination) or Diploma courses in law departments. Adopts a unique approach to the teaching of the subject. General principles, such as intention and recklessness, are made easier to understand by first introducing and discussing them in the context of specific crimes. This allows students to acquire a sound understanding of the general principles of criminal law. Throughout the book judgments and the scope of individual offences are evaluated, and reform options are discussed, including proposals from Law Commission Consultation Papers and Reports. Cases from the US and Commonwealth jurisdictions are considered where helpful to analysis.