All Acts
Theft & Fraud· 1968
Theft Act 1968
Theft Act 1968
Defines the core acquisitive offences — theft, robbery, burglary, handling stolen goods — used daily by response and CID teams.
Self-test
Sections
Section 1 — Basic definition of theft
Dishonestly appropriating property belonging to another with the intention of permanently depriving the other of it.
Key points
- Five elements: dishonesty, appropriation, property, belonging to another, intention to permanently deprive.
- Dishonesty test — Ivey v Genting Casinos (objective standards of ordinary decent people).
- Maximum 7 years.
Section 8 — Robbery
A person is guilty of robbery if they steal, and immediately before or at the time of doing so, and in order to do so, use force or put or seek to put any person in fear of being then and there subjected to force.
Key points
- Must complete a theft — if no theft, consider attempted robbery / s.18 GBH.
- Force or threat of force — at the time of, and in order to, steal.
- Indictable only — Crown Court.
Section 9 — Burglary
Entering a building or part of a building as a trespasser with intent to steal, inflict GBH, or do unlawful damage (s.9(1)(a)) — or having entered, stealing/attempting to steal or inflicting/attempting GBH (s.9(1)(b)).
Key points
- 9(1)(a) — intent at point of entry.
- 9(1)(b) — offence committed after entry.
- Aggravated burglary (s.10) — with weapon of offence, firearm, imitation firearm, or explosive.