Home defence law “incompatible with human rights convention”
New laws which give householders the right to exact “disproportionate force” on intruders are being challenged in the High Court for being “incompati
ble” with the European human rights convention. The new “householder defence” regime is being challenged by the family of Denby Collins, who allegedly entered a house as an intruder and was then seriously injured. Paul Bowen QC, acting for the Collins family, has asked two judges to overturn a decision of the DPP not to prosecute the homeowner for causing grievous bodily harm, either with or without intent, contrary to the Offences Against the Person Act 1
