 Non @-@ fatal offences against the person , under English law , are generally taken to mean offences which take the form of an attack directed at another person , that do not result in the death of any person . Such offences where death occurs are considered homicide , whilst sexual offences are generally considered separately , since they differ substantially from other offences against the person in theoretical basis and composition . Non @-@ fatal offences against the person mainly derive from the Offences against the Person Act 1861 , although no definition of assault or battery is given there . 
