A wide selection of case law, essential statutes and other relevant materials, effectively abridged and combined with an enlightening commentary, have established this book as a thorough and engaging resource for students of criminal law. The extensive range of extracted materials and the depth and broad scope of the new edition maps closely onto undergraduate courses. The authors' contextual approach places primary materials alongside non-legal sources to provide a holistic understanding of criminal law and the underlying principles, including human rights in context. Through an engaging, unpretentious writing style, the material is made accessible and user-friendly, guiding the reader through both the law and surrounding issues. The new edition features a new two colour text design which clearly differentiates extracted material from the main text and makes the book even easier to navigate. The fifth edition of this established book covers the latest developments including sexual offences, racially aggravated crime and recklessness. More 'Notes and Questions' sections have been included throughout the text to probe the law and serve as critical research tools, helping students gain a deeper appreciation of judicial reasoning.