Question
FACTS: In order to demonstrate the inadequacy of the fire alarm in a block of flats, Mr Hunt started a fire in a bedroom in a deserted part of the block. He pressed the fire alarm, which did not work. He then called the fire brigade. HELD: The Court of Appeal, rejecting the defence under the CDA 1971, s 5(2)(b), introduced an objective element into the defence. The court held that it was not sufficient that the accused intended to prevent further damage to property (as statutory language suggests) but also required that the act be objectively capable of protecting the property from damage.