SQE1 sample questions

Question 18

A man finds a caravan in a field and decides to set fire to it. He gives no thought as to whether there is anyone inside the caravan before he sets fire to it.

In fact there is a woman inside the caravan who cannot escape because of the smoke and who is burnt to death when the caravan is destroyed by the fire. The man intended to unlawfully destroy property but not to harm anyone.

Which of the following best describes the man's liability for unlawful act manslaughter?

A. He is not guilty because the unlawful act of destroying the caravan was not itself dangerous to life.

B. He is not guilty because he did not intend by destroying the caravan to endanger the life of anyone.

C. He is guilty because he was grossly negligent about harming anyone who might be inside the caravan when he set fire to it.

D. He is guilty because he has committed an unlawful and dangerous act that has killed the woman.

E. He is guilty because he was reckless about harming anyone who might be inside the caravan when he set fire to it.