Liabilities - Peeping or peering into a dwelling house

Question 1

Define the following terms:

• Found
• by ‘Night’
• Without reasonable excuse
• Peeping or peering

Answer 1

• Found
  :Discovered on
  :Seen entering
  :Seen leaving
  :Seen
• by ‘Night’
  :Between the end of the first hour after sunset and the beginning of the last hour before sunrise.
• Without reasonable excuse
  :No lawful genuine or reasonable excuse
• Peeping or peering
  :Deliberately looking through any window or open door

Question 2

Discuss the differences and similarities between loitering and peeping or peering.

Answer 2

• Both offences contain the ingredients of
  Found
  By night
  Without reasonable excuse.
• The offence of loitering also contains ingredients of
  Loitering on any land
  On which a dwelling house is situated.

Question 3

Outline the procedure when dealing with prowler complaints.

Answer 3

• Obtain details of the complaint
• Check if Delta unit available
• Approach quietly and park well away from address
• Cordon the address and cover escape routes
• Search grounds and buildings thoroughly - Delta search first.
• Interview victim and obtain details to support a charge.
• Examine scene to gather any evidence for a charge

Question 4

List the ingredients for the offence ‘Peeping or peering into a dwelling house’.

Answer 4

• Found
• By night
• Without reasonable excuse
• Peeping or peering
• Into a dwelling house