Burglary Flashcards
s.9 of the Theft Act 1968
Definition of burglary s.9(a)
s.9(a) guilty of burglary if he enters a building/part of a building as a trespasser with intent to commit theft, GBH or unlawful damage
Definition of burglary s.9(b)
S.9(B) having entered a building or part of a building as a trespasser he attempts/commits theft or attempts/commits GBH
Actus Reus of Robbery
- ENTERS
- BUILDING OR PART OF BUILDING
- AS A TRESPASSER
- Enters
Entry must be effective (Brown)
Entry must be sufficient
Collins
Brown
Ryan
R V Collins
D how was drunk and naked climbed through open window of naked girl asleep - as he was on the window sill, girl woke, thought it was her boyfriend, had intercourse.
convicted if burglary as a trespasser with intent to rape (appealed as he had been invited in and didnt realize he was trespassing bc drunk = conviction quashed)
R v Brown
entry only needs to be effective
D stood on ground floor, leaned through broken shop window rummaging through goods
R V Ryan
D trapped when trying to get through window at 2:30am
fire brigade called to free him
- for the jury to decide if entry is effective (was effective here)
- Building or part of
building = “fairly permanent structure including houses, offices, shops, vehicle or vessel that is inhabited”
buliding - B&S V Leathley
buliding = Norfolk Constabulary V Seekings
part of = R v Walkington
B&S V Leathley
25ft long freezer container, on farm yard for 2yrs, used as storage facility, had doors with locks and electricity = held to be a building
Norfolk Constabulary V Seekings and Gould
long trailer with wheels, used as storage for over a yr and had electricity = NOT a building as it was not fixed or inhabited
- As a Trespasser
The prosecution must prove that the D KNEW they were trespassing
Collins (was drunk)
this also includes a situation where the individual has permission but they go beyond the permission
Going beyond permission:
Jones and Smith (1976)
Mens Rea of Burglary
mens rea = must intend or be subjectively reckeless as to enter as a trespasser
PLUS
for s.9(a) intention at the point of entry to commit theft, GBH or criminal damage
for s.9(b) intention for theft or GBH at point of committing or attempting to commit these
offences in a building.