Encouraging or assisting a crime in English law: Difference between revisions

There is no defence of later withdrawing from the act; however, there is one of "acting reasonably" under Section 50. This takes two forms: either that the acts themselves were reasonable; or that the defendant reasonably believed in circumstances which did not exist and acted reasonably under those circumstances. The existence of this defence has been attacked by Andrew Simester{{who}} and Bob Sullivan{{who}} on the grounds it may be acting as a "sop" to counteract excess brevity in other sections of the act.<ref>Simester et al. (2010). p. 298&ndash;99.</ref> Victims are extended the "Tyrell" defence &ndash; that one cannot aid, abet, counsel or procure an offence against oneself &ndash; although exactly when a victim is protected can be unclear.<ref>Simester et al. (2010). p. 299&ndash;300.</ref>