Quote- If you passed a law saying that you can take whatever action you wish to to defend either person or property then there would also be unwished for consequences. Would it be then be OK for one kid to knife another who has stolen his mobile phone? He might be charged with carrying a knife, but not with murder?
I worked on a case in about 1965 when a South London butcher who was on the way to the night safe to bank his days taking was attacked by 3 robbers. He pulled a knife from his sleeve, which he had been carrying "to defend his money" and in the struggle one of the robbers was killed.
On the directions of the DPP, the butcher was not changed with any offence, not even offensive weapon.
At the coroner's court a verdict of justifiable homicide was recorded and the Coroner said, Under common law a person had the right to take life to defend his live, his property of that of another person.
As reported above, one must be able to show that the degree of force was reasonable. Each case is dependant on the facts of that case. No absolute rule can be given.
