Woolmington v. Director of Public Prosecutions
Woolmington v. Director of Public Prosecutions (1935 AC 462) Appellant: Reginald Woolmington Respondent: Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Facts of the Case: The case of Woolmington v. DPP revolves around the accidental shooting of Violet Woolmington, the wife of the appellant, Reginald Woolmington. In 1934, Woolmington, a 21-year-old man, married Violet, but soon after, their relationship became strained, and Violet left him, returning to live with her mother. Woolmington, distressed by his wife leaving, decided to win her back. On December 10, 1934, Woolmington visited Violet at her mother's house. He took with him a sawed-off shotgun, which he claimed was to scare her into returning to him. According to Woolmington, he intended to show Violet the gun, and if she refused to come back, he would threaten to take his own life in front of her to compel her sympathy. Woolmington asserted that while he was handling the gun, it accidentally discharged, killing Violet. Woolmington ...