A 'Riot' of a Quiz

Answer: 12

The definition of Riot is, 'The Public Order Act 1986 s.1' states:
1) Where twelve or more persons who are present together use or threaten unlawful violence for a common purpose and the conduct of them (taken together) is such as would cause a person of reasonable firmness present at the scene to fear for his personal safety, each of the persons using unlawful violence for the common purpose is guilty of riot.
2) It is immaterial whether or not the twelve or more use or threaten unlawful violence simultaneously.
3) The common purpose may be inferred from conduct.
4) No person of reasonable firmness need actually be, or be likely to be, present at the scene.
5) Riot may be committed in private as well as in public places.

To charge someone with this offence requires the consent of the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Answer: True

The provisions of the Riot Damages Act 1886, enables people who have suffered loss or damage during a riot, to claim compensation from the local police budget.

Answer: 10 years

This offence can only be tried at the Crown court.

Answer: 3

The definition of Violent Disorder is, '1) Where 3 or more persons who are present together use or threaten unlawful violence and the conduct of them (taken together) is such as would cause a person of reasonable firmness present at the scene to fear for their personal safety, each of the persons using or threatening unlawful violence is guilty of violent disorder.
2) It is immaterial whether or not the 3 or more use or threaten unlawful violence simultaneously.
3) No person of reasonable firmness need actually be, or be likely to be, present at the scene.
4) Violent disorder may be committed in private as well as in public places'.

If it not proved that there were 3 or more persons threatening or using violence, then the court should acquit each defendant (R v McGuigan (1991) Crim LR 719).

Answer: False

This offence may be tried at both Magistrates court and the Crown court. The maximum term of imprisonment is 5 years.

Answer: Personal safety

The definition of Affray is, '1. A person is guilty of Affray if a person uses or threatens unlawful violence towards another and the person's conduct is such as would cause a person of reasonable firmness present at the scene to fear for his personal safety.
2. Where two or more persons use or threaten the unlawful violence, it is the conduct of them taken together that must be considered for the purpose of subsection (1)
3. For the purposes of this section a threat can not be made by the use of words alone.
4. No person of reasonable firmness need actually be, or be likely to be, present at the scene.
5. Affray may be committed in private as well as in public places'.

Answer: To terrify

The test in respect of the offence of Affray is whether or not the defendant's conduct would have caused a hypothetical person (not the actual person(s) present) to fear for his/her personal safety.( R v Sanchez (1996) 160 JP 321)

Answer: Communal landing

Under Section 8, a dwelling is defined as, 'any structure or part of a structure occupied as a person's home or as other living accommodation (whether the occupation is separate or shared with others) but does not include any part not so occupied, and for this purpose 'structure' includes a tent, caravan, vehicle, vessel or other temporary movable structure.

Communal landings which form access routes to separate dwellings have been held not to constitute part of a dwelling even though they could only be entered by way of an entry phone system ( Rujwira v DPP (1993) Crim LR 882).

Answer: The Act does not define what is disorderly

The act does not define what is disorderly, and therefore it ought be given its everyday meaning. It need not be shown that the disorderly behaviour is itself threatening, abusive or insulting, not that it brought any feelings of apprehension in the person to whom it was directed. (Chambers v DPP (1995) Crim LR 896)

Answer: No

The consent of the Director of Public Prosecutions is not required for these offences.