What injuries are classed as GBH?

In Brief

Grievous bodily harm (GBH) is the most serious category of non-fatal assault under English and Welsh law. It is defined as “really serious bodily harm”. Injuries classed as GBH typically include broken bones, stab wounds, facial disfigurement, serious burns, internal organ damage, and severe psychiatric harm.

There is no fixed legal checklist of GBH injuries; instead, courts assess each case on its facts, considering the severity and overall impact of the injury, although it does not need to be permanent or life-threatening. Whether an injury amounts to GBH rather than actual bodily harm (ABH) can significantly affect the charges brought, the court that hears the case, and the sentence imposed. If you or someone you know is facing a GBH allegation, obtaining expert legal advice at the earliest opportunity is essential.

What Is GBH?

GBH stands for grievous bodily harm. Under English and Welsh criminal law, it describes injuries that are “really serious” in nature. The offence falls under the Offences Against the Person Act 1861 and is prosecuted under two main sections:

• Section 18 - Causing GBH with intent, or wounding with intent to cause GBH. This is the more serious offence and carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.
• Section 20 - Inflicting GBH without intent, or unlawful wounding. This covers situations where serious harm was caused and the prosecution does not need to prove intent to cause serious harm, only that the defendant foresaw that some physical harm might occur. The maximum sentence is five years’ imprisonment.

The critical distinction between these two offences is intent. For a more detailed explanation, see our guide to GBH with and without intent.

It is important to note that the CPS Charging Standard defines GBH as harm that is “really serious” but does not require the injury to be permanent or life-threatening.

Types of Injuries Classed as GBH

There is no definitive legal list of injuries that automatically qualify as GBH. The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and the courts assess each case individually. However, the following types of injury are commonly prosecuted as GBH.

Broken Bones and Fractures

Broken bones are commonly cited examples of GBH, depending on their severity and impact. Fractures to major bones such as the arm, leg, jaw, or ribs will typically be considered GBH, particularly where:

• The fracture requires surgical intervention (such as plates or pins)
• The break results in lasting mobility issues or chronic pain
• Multiple bones are fractured in a single attack

Minor fractures, such as a hairline fracture to a finger, may not always meet the GBH threshold and could instead be charged as ABH. Context matters: a minor fracture caused by a sustained attack could still support a GBH charge.

Facial Disfigurement

Injuries that permanently alter a person’s facial appearance are strong indicators of GBH. Examples include:

• A broken or displaced nose
• Loss of teeth (particularly multiple teeth or front teeth)
• Fractured eye sockets or cheekbones
• Permanent scarring to the face
• Damage to eyesight

Facial injuries often carry additional weight in sentencing because of their visible and lasting psychological impact on the victim.

Stab Wounds and Puncture Injuries

A wound caused by a knife or sharp weapon that breaks the full thickness of the skin amounts to GBH. Under the law, “wounding” specifically means an injury that breaks the full continuity of the skin, not just a superficial scratch or graze.

Stabbing injuries are particularly serious in the eyes of the court because weapon use is treated as strong evidence of intent, which could elevate a charge from Section 20 to Section 18 GBH.

Blunt Force Injuries

Injuries caused by blunt objects such as a bat, hammer, or similar weapon regularly form the basis of GBH charges. These can include severe bruising causing deep tissue damage, crush injuries, head injuries leading to concussion or brain injury, and ruptured organs. The use of a weapon is an aggravating factor that courts take seriously when determining both the charge and the sentence.

Burns and Scalding

Burning or scalding, including attacks involving acid, boiling water, or fire, can constitute GBH. These injuries are treated particularly seriously where they cause permanent scarring, require skin grafts or reconstructive surgery, or result in long-term pain or reduced function. Acid attacks in particular are treated by the courts with the utmost seriousness.

Internal Injuries

Injuries to internal organs that are not immediately visible can also constitute GBH. Examples include a ruptured spleen, liver damage from a sustained assault, internal bleeding requiring emergency surgery, and head trauma resulting in brain injury. Internal injuries can amount to GBH where they are sufficiently serious, even if not immediately visible. Medical evidence plays a central role in establishing whether internal injuries reach the GBH threshold.

Psychiatric Injuries

GBH is not limited to physical harm. Recognised psychiatric conditions caused by an assault can qualify as GBH. This applies where the victim develops a clinically diagnosed condition such as PTSD, clinical depression, or severe anxiety disorders. A general feeling of distress or upset is not sufficient; the psychiatric injury must be a recognised medical condition supported by expert evidence.

Disease Transmission

The deliberate or reckless transmission of a serious disease, such as HIV, can amount to GBH. This was established in the case of R v Dica [2004], where the Court of Appeal held that recklessly transmitting HIV could constitute inflicting GBH under Section 20.

Is a Broken Nose ABH or GBH?

The answer depends on the circumstances. A broken nose can be charged as either ABH or GBH. The CPS will consider:

• The severity of the fracture - A minor clean break that heals without surgery may be treated as ABH, whereas a displaced fracture requiring surgical correction is more likely to be charged as GBH.
• Permanent effects - If the break results in lasting disfigurement, breathing difficulties, or deviation of the nose, this pushes the injury towards GBH.
• The context of the attack - A single punch resulting in a broken nose may be charged differently from a sustained assault or an attack involving a weapon.

In practice, a broken nose sits in the borderline territory between ABH and GBH, and the specific facts of each case will determine the charge.

When Is an Injury NOT Serious Enough for GBH?

Not every assault resulting in injury will meet the GBH threshold. Injuries that are typically charged as ABH or common assault rather than GBH include:

• Minor bruising or swelling
• Surface cuts or grazes that do not break the full skin
• Hairline fractures to small bones (e.g., fingers or toes) in isolation
• Temporary pain without lasting effects
• Black eyes or minor facial bruising

For more on what constitutes ABH and the likely outcomes, see our article on ABH charges.

How Courts Decide Whether an Injury Amounts to GBH

There is no statutory definition that lists specific injuries as GBH. Instead, courts apply the test of whether the harm was “really serious” based on the individual circumstances. Factors considered include:

• Medical evidence - Hospital records, surgical notes, and expert medical testimony are central to establishing the nature and severity of injuries.
• Lasting impact - Injuries with permanent effects (scarring, reduced mobility, chronic pain) are more likely to be classified as GBH.
• The victim’s age and vulnerability - The same injury may be assessed differently depending on whether the victim is a young adult or an elderly person.
• Cumulative effect - Multiple less serious injuries inflicted during a single assault may collectively amount to GBH, even if each individual injury would not qualify on its own.

Borderline cases often depend on the quality of medical evidence and the skill of legal representation on both sides. Ultimately, whether harm is “really serious” is a question for the jury (or magistrates), applying contemporary standards.

What Happens If You Are Charged With GBH?

GBH is an either-way offence for Section 20 cases, meaning it can be heard in either the Magistrates’ Court or the Crown Court. Section 18 GBH (with intent) is an indictable-only offence and must be heard in the Crown Court.

Since 18 November 2024, Magistrates’ Courts have had the power to impose custodial sentences of up to 12 months for either-way offences, which may affect how some Section 20 cases are dealt with.

Additionally, the Sentencing Act 2026 (in force from 22 March 2026) introduced a statutory presumption in favour of suspending custodial sentences of 12 months or less, subject to exceptions and the court’s discretion.

For a detailed breakdown of how sentences are calculated, see our full guide to GBH sentencing guidelines.

Contact Our Criminal Defence Team

Being accused of GBH is a serious matter that can result in a lengthy prison sentence, even for first-time offenders. The sooner you seek expert legal representation, the better your chances of achieving the best possible outcome.

At JD Spicer Zeb, our criminal law solicitors have decades of experience defending clients against GBH charges under both Section 18 and Section 20. We can advise you at the police station, prepare your defence, and represent you in court.

Get in touch today for a free initial consultation:

• Central London Office: 020 7624 7771
• Manchester Office: 0161 835 1638
• Birmingham Office: 0121 614 3333

Or email: solicitors@jdspicer.co.uk

You can also complete our online enquiry form or apply for legal aid.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a punch be classed as GBH?

Yes. A single punch can result in a GBH charge if it causes serious injury, such as a broken jaw, fractured eye socket, or loss of teeth. The charge depends on the severity of the resulting injury rather than the type of force used.

Is a broken jaw ABH or GBH?

A broken jaw is almost always charged as GBH. Jaw fractures typically require surgical treatment (such as wiring or plating) and can result in long-term complications including difficulty eating and speaking. This level of injury comfortably meets the “really serious harm” threshold.

Can you get GBH for a first offence?

Yes. GBH can be charged regardless of whether you have previous convictions. However, being a first-time offender is a mitigating factor that the court will take into account during sentencing, which may result in a shorter sentence or, for less serious Section 20 cases, a suspended sentence or community order.

What is the difference between wounding and GBH?

Wounding specifically refers to an injury that breaks the full continuity of the skin (both the outer and inner layers). GBH refers to “really serious” bodily harm, which may or may not involve a wound. Both wounding and GBH are covered by Sections 18 and 20 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861, and the two terms often appear together in charges.

Can self-defence be used against a GBH charge?

Yes. If you caused serious injury while using reasonable force to defend yourself or another person, this may provide a complete defence to a GBH charge. The key question is whether the level of force you used was proportionate to the threat you believed you faced. For more, read our guide to self-defence laws in the UK.

Is non-fatal strangulation classed as GBH?

Strangulation can amount to GBH depending on the severity and consequences of the act. Since June 2022, non-fatal strangulation and suffocation has also been a standalone criminal offence under Section 75A of the Serious Crime Act 2015 (inserted by the Domestic Abuse Act 2021), carrying a maximum sentence of five years’ imprisonment. This means the prosecution may choose to charge strangulation as a standalone offence, as GBH, or both.

Related Articles

• What Is GBH With and Without Intent?
• Sentencing Guidelines for GBH
• ABH Charge: What’s the Likely Outcome?
• What Is the Sentence for Assault?
• What Happens at Crown Court?
• Guide to Self-Defence Laws in the UK