ABH vs. GBH

ABH and GBH are not everyday terms. One usually comes across these terms when reading a transcript of a court hearing, or in matters wherein legal counseling is discussed. In order to avoid confusing one term for the other, it’s imperative to know the working definition of both terms before comparing them.

ABH, or Actual Bodily Harm, is different from GBH, or Grievous Bodily Harm, in terms of severity. Both terminologies are used in legal action to prosecute the accused that has caused bodily harm to the complainant. In order to distinguish one from the other, it’s important to know which injuries fall under ABH, which is the less severe among the two. ABH includes broken teeth, bruises, deep cuts or wounds, and may even extend to adverse psychological effects.

Prosecutors usually convert ABH into common assault in order to isolate the case in the magistrate’s court. The reason for this is to cut down on legal counseling expenses. If the defendant is found guilty, they will have to pay a large sum amounting to several thousand dollars, be subject to six months in prison, or a combination of both. ABH and common assault may further be compounded if racial assault is included in the equation. In such cases, the ABH and common assault charge is elevated into racially aggravated assault, which can send the guilty defendant to prisons for seven years and/or cost them a very hefty fine. GBH is the more severe version of ABH.

An ABH complaint may be elevated into GBH on the basis of the extent of the injury and the level of intent of the offender. Examples of intent include the use of a weapon in a fight, premeditated assault, threats before the actual attack, a kick to the victim’s head, and shattering glass as a prelude to the attack. All of these actions indicate a strong intent to inflict severe bodily harm upon the victim. GBH encompasses injuries that incapacitate the victim and require lengthy treatments, such as broken ribs, wrists, arms, or legs. Fractures due to physical assault caused by any part of the body or by a weapon are also categorized under GBH. Psychological trauma can also fall under GBH as defined by a counseling psychologist. Since GBH involves severe bodily or psychological harm, it has a severe penalty as well. The offending party can be sentenced to prison for life if there is intent, and a five years’ stay in prison if there is no evidence of intent.

There have been legal cases wherein a charge that could merit a GBH status was reduced to ABH because of the offender’s willingness to admit guilt or declare intent for the attack. An easier way to differentiate between ABH and GBH is by keeping in mind that injuries brought about by ABH can be alleviated by first-aid treatment, whereas GBH injuries require intensive hospitalization or even surgical procedures.

Summary

1. Both ABH and GBH are legal terminologies used to ascertain the severity of injuries.
2. ABH, or Actual Bodily Harm, is lighter in severity, and the penalty for inflicting ABH is minimal as compared to that of GBH.
3. GBH, or Grievous Bodily Harm, is a serious charge that can send the offender to prison for life. ABH can be treated effectively with first-aid, whereas GBH requires intensive hospitalization, and in the most serious cases, surgical procedures.
4. Psychological trauma can also be categorized under either ABH or GBH depending on the severity.
5. A premeditated attack that only leads to ABH injuries can be elevated to GBH because of intent. The use of a weapon or verbal or written threats before the attack can be categorized under intent.

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