Building on the content of Principles of Criminal Law, this book provides an overview of the key aspects of criminal law doctrine as it applies in England and Wales. This fifth edition includes analysis of recent important case law, including decisions of the House of Lords in R v Hinks (theft), R v K (indecent assault) and Court of Appeal decisions in R v Wacker (killing by gross negligence), R v Dias (causation in homicide) and R v Martin (self-defence). Consideration is also given to the impact of legislative reform of sexual offences in the Sexual Offences (Amendment) Act 2000, and the current reform proposal regardingrape.