The 'thin skull' rule The 'thin skull' rule provides that a person who inflicts harm on another cannot escape liability if the victim, owing to some pre-existing infirmity or peculiarity, suffers greater harm than would have been expected as a result of what the accused has done. Put simply, the defendant must take the victim as he finds him. R v Hayward [1908] 21 Cox 692 FACTS: Hayward, who was in a rage, threatened his wife and chased her into the road. She collapsed and died. She was suffering from an abnormal thyroid condition, such that any combination of physical exertion and fear might lead to death. HELD: It was held that Hayward had caused her death because he had to take her condition as he found it.