Criminal law — Theft Flashcards
What is the actus reus of theft?
s.3 Appropriation, s.4 Property, s.5 Belonging to another.
The approriation of property belonging to another
What is appropriation?
Any assumption of the rights of an owner.
Morris (1984)
D switched labels in a supermarket so as to show a lower price. He put it in a basket and paid a lower price.
POL: Switching labels is an assumption of the rights of an owner.
Lawrence (1972)
A foreign student who spoke little english handed over wallet to taxi driver to pay for the fare. Driver took x20 the amount owed.
POL: Appropriation need not be without the consent of the owner.
R v Atakpu and Abrahams
D’s obtained cars illegally in Germany and Belgium. They were arrested having driven them to the UK.
Held— not guilty as the appropriation had taken place outside the jurisdiction.
What is the POL in Atakpu and Abrahams?
Appropriation occurs the first time the D assumes the rights of the owner. it is not a continuing act.
s.3(1) can apply when the D gets the property without stealing it but then deals with it as they owner later.
Hinks (1998)
Vulnerable middle aged man was befriended by Hinks. Each day he withdrew £300 and put it in her account (until she had £60,000). HoL upheld theft conviction despite it appearing like a voluntary gift.
POL: Gifts can be appropriation
s.4(1) Property includes what?
Money and all other property, real or personal including things in action and other intangible property.
What does real property mean?
Land and buildings
What is stated in s.4(2)?
A person cannot steal land or things forming part of land and severed from it by him or by his directions unless:
s.4(2)a) How can land be stolen?
Where he has the ability to transfer ownership of land or rights that are not his to transfer. E.G. Where a trustee transfers land without express permission to do so.
s.4(2)b) How can land be stolen?
Things on the land hat the owner has not allowed the thief to posses E.G. Soil, rocks, buildings, part of buildings and crops.
s.4(2)c) How can land be stolen?
Any ‘fixtures’ removed by a tenant.
What is a “thing in action”? s.4(1)
A right that can be enforced against another E.G. A bank account (which gives the owner the right to demand money from the bank) or a credit card account/cheque.
What is “other intangible property”? s.4(1)
Electricity, intellectual property
Oxford v Moss
A student “borrowed” an exam paper to find out what the forthcoming exam was on. He copied and returned the paper.
POL: Confidential information was not property.
Marshall (1998)
D was reselling pre-used travel cards which he was given by members of the public who had finished using them.
POL: Residual value of an asset E.G. A prepaid car park ticket or travel card could be property. and therefore if reused would be theft.
s.4(3) Things that can’t be stolen
Foraging for wild food is legal unless it is sold on.