House of Lords

Sweet v Parsley

[1969] UKHL 119701 min read
The case in brief30-second read
Facts
Miss Sweet let rooms in a farmhouse to tenants who smoked cannabis there without her knowledge. She was convicted of being concerned in the management of premises used for smoking cannabis.
Issue
Whether the offence required knowledge.
Held
Her conviction was quashed. There is a presumption that mens rea is required for a criminal offence, displaced only where Parliament clearly intends otherwise; the offence required knowledge of the use of the premises.
Principle
Mens rea is presumed for criminal offences unless the statute clearly excludes it.
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Facts

  • Miss Sweet let rooms in a farmhouse to tenants who smoked cannabis there without her knowledge. She was convicted of being concerned in the management of premises used for smoking cannabis.

Issue

  1. Whether the offence required knowledge.

Held

  • Her conviction was quashed. There is a presumption that mens rea is required for a criminal offence, displaced only where Parliament clearly intends otherwise; the offence required knowledge of the use of the premises.

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Citation

Sweet v Parsley [1969] UKHL 1

Reported: https://www.bailii.org/uk/cases/UKHL/1969/1.html (English case; not on IK or SCI). This is an educational summary, not the judgment itself. Cite the reported version in professional or academic work.