... other public place" (s2 Road Traffic Act 1988). No harm or consequence of that dangerous driving need be established. · The second type are known as result crimes where the actus reus of the offence requires proof that the conduct caused a prohibited result or consequence. For example, the actus reus of the offence of criminal damage is that property belonging to another must be destroyed or damaged (s1(1) Criminal Damage Act 1971). THE ACTUS REUS MUST BE VOLUNTARY The accused's conduct must be "voluntary" or "freely willed" if he is to incur liability. It may be involuntary for a variety of reasons: AUTOMATISM Automatism occurs where the defendant performs a physical act but is unaware of what he is doing, or is not in control of his actions, because of some external factor. See: R v Quick [1973] 3 All ER 347. REFLEX ACTIONS Sometimes people can respond to something with a spontaneous reflex action over which ...

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