self defence ..... legality issue

enniscorthy

any idea if throwing a saucepan full of scalding hot wax directly into the face of a threatening intruder to your home / business premises would come under the definition of "reasonable force"

oldyouth

I've no idea of the legality of it. But it doesn't sound like reasonable force to me.
Are you talking about having this on standby in case an intruder comes in? If that's the case, you are likely to be in a heap of bother.

PS I'd love to do it myself if someone broke in to my house

Corvo

You are going to keep a pot of wax just boiling away..."just in case"?

Would you not just buy a shotgun. Less upkeep.

vicwatson

Griffin1988 wrote: »

You are going to keep a pot of wax just boiling away..."just in case"?

Would you not just buy a shotgun. Less upkeep.

OP didn't say that they had a pot of hot wax on standby

OP - Reasonable force?? Well if you were in fear of your life then yes it's reasonable force, you have a right to defend yourself when you are in fear of your personal safety.

Cantona's Collars

After being waxed,would they be called a "Smooth Criminal"?



Seriously,if I caught anyone on my property,the term "reasonable force" would have to be used very loosely.

FRIENDO

enniscorthy wrote: »

any idea if throwing a saucepan full of scalding hot wax directly into the face of a threatening intruder to your home / business premises would come under the definition of "reasonable force"

No, I dont think it would be reasonable, unless you had sufficent cause.

http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/1997/en/act/pub/0026/sec0018.html

I would imagine it would depend on the level of threat, Example; if you feared for your life and the intruder said they are going to Rape/kill you and made advances toward you and the intruder was very capable of commiting this act, it will still be down to the judge or jury on the day.

bmaxi

I'd reckon, unless you worked as a candle maker or in a beauty parlour, the Court might interpret the fact you have a pot of boiling wax to hand as premeditation.
What the hell do you do that you have pots of boiling wax around, are you Madame Tussaud?

vicwatson

OP didn't say that they had a pot of hot wax on standby

blindsider

vicwatson wrote: »

OP didn't say that they had a pot of hot wax on standby

You're right Vic, the OP didn't say that. However, if this scenario came to court, the judge and opposing barrister etc would be asking questions.

You would need to be able to prove that the wax was not there to be used as a weapon. There's also the whole question of 'reasonable force'. Also, "into the face of..." Not sure that would be construed as reasonable.....

As someone else mentioned "pre-meditation" comes into play - it's a big deal.

It may seem unfair, but when you look at other scenarios e.g. can you set a man-trap on you premises to deter burglars or trespassers? The answer is obviously no.

It may seem a bit unfair, but it's the law.

I was once advised that a large metal torch (security type) is worth having by the bed - a belt of a large Maglite would soften your cough!

("It's a torch Judge - I picked up the nearest thing to me! I was frightened by the intruder, so I acted to defend my family and myself.")

St Senan

Guys, Hot Chocolate tastes a lot nicer than hot Wax.

I don't think there is any law to prevent you from melting chocolate in a saucepan to use for making a midnight chocolate cake or an anytime of the day or night chocolate cake. The same goes for a pot of stew or a saucepan full of soup.

ResearchWill

It would be a matter for the jury to decide if it went that far. I am assuming section 4 Non Fatal Offences Against the person Act 1997. The defence would be contained in CRIMINAL LAW (DEFENCE AND THE DWELLING) ACT 2011, section 2 http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/pdf/2011/en.act.2011.0035.PDF.

If a person entered your home with a gun and came towards you, the only thing to hand being a pot of wax (you are making wax model as you are an artist) you throw it in general direction of attacker, I would bet if jury believe you then a not guilty verdict.

If a 16 year skinny youth enters your house carrying nothing more intimidating than his iPhone, it may be a tad of an over reaction to throw hot wax at him.

bmaxi

vicwatson wrote: »

OP didn't say that they had a pot of hot wax on standby

Where then, do they get this pot of hot wax to throw in the intruder's face? Do you know of a process that will instantly convert a block of wax or a miscellaneous candles into a pot of hot wax? The laws of physics dictate that wax is a solid at room temperature so it stands to reason that this pot of hot wax would have to be pre-prepared. What the Court would have to decide is, whether it is reasonable for the defendant to have such immediately to hand. There are few instances when this would be the case.

vicwatson

Navarre wrote: »

Guys, Hot Chocolate tastes a lot nicer than hot Wax.

I don't think there is any law to prevent you from melting chocolate in a saucepan to use for making a midnight chocolate cake or an anytime of the day or night chocolate cake. The same goes for a pot of stew or a saucepan full of soup.

Or a pot of boiling water that you were just about to put an egg into to boil;)

vicwatson

bmaxi wrote: »

Where then, do they get this pot of hot wax to throw in the intruder's face? Do you know of a process that will instantly convert a block of wax or a miscellaneous candles into a pot of hot wax? The laws of physics dictate that wax is a solid at room temperature so it stands to reason that this pot of hot wax would have to be pre-prepared. What the Court would have to decide is, whether it is reasonable for the defendant to have such immediately to hand. There are few instances when this would be the case.

Maybe you could ask the OP:pac:

Corvo

vicwatson wrote: »

Maybe you could ask the OP:pac:

Vic, we have had it with you, you damn West Ham fan :pac:

vicwatson

Griffin1988 wrote: »

Vic, we have had it with you, you damn West Ham fan :pac:

And your point is.....?

bmaxi

vicwatson wrote: »

Maybe you could ask the OP:pac:

I already did.

enniscorthy

Hi all thanks for all the feedback will let you know how i get on regards brian

Awake&Unafraid

So...you're gonna go ahead and throw hot wax on them? Jaysus.

oldyouth

Sounds like the possible scenario has already happened

Ted_YNWA

Hot wax is a bit extreme.

Few slaps of a baseball bat, fcuk him down the stairs, throw a TV down as well.

Claim he tried to rob TV, you startled him & he fell down the stairs.





Haven't put much thought into this .... honest

a fat guy

Jaysus lads, you've put the fear in me...

Never again will I head to bed without a pot of boiling wax! :v