Regina v Hopley: 1860

References: (1860) 2 F&F 202, [1860] EWCC J42, [1860] EngR 191 (B)
Links: Bailii, Commonlii
(Summer Assizes, 1860) The prisoner was indicted for the manslaughter of Reginald Cancellor. The prisoner was a schoolmaster at Eastbourne, and in 1859 the deceased, a boy aged thirteen or fourteen, had been entrusted to his charge. He was a dull boy. At Christmas there were some complaints of chastisement inflicted on him by the prisoner. He returned to school, however, after the holidays, and again at Easter on the 16th April.
Held: A parent or someone to whom the parent has delegated authority may inflict physical hurt on his or her child, provided that it does not go too far, and is for the purpose of correction and not the gratification of passion or rage.
This case is cited by:

  • Cited – Regina -v- Brown (Anthony); Regina -v- Lucas;etc HL (Independent 12-Mar-93, lip, [1994] 1 AC 212, Bailii, [1992] UKHL 7, [1993] 2 WLR 556, [1993] 2 All ER 75)
    The appellants had been convicted of assault, after having engaged in consensual acts of sado-masochism in which they inflicted varying degreees of physical self harm. They had pleaded guilty after a ruling that the prosecution had not needed to . .

(This list may be incomplete)
Last Update: 02-Nov-15 Ref: 182078