Robbery

Question 1

What is the definition of robbery?

Answer 1

“A person is guilty of robbery if he steals, and immediately before or at the time of doing so, and in order to do so, he uses force on any person or puts or seeks to put any person in fear of being then and there subjected to force”

Question 2

What act is the definition of robbery found in?

Answer 2

S8 Theft Act 1968

Question 3

What is the actus reus of robbery?

Answer 3

1. Theft

2. Force, or putting or seeking to put anybody in fear of force

Question 4

What is the mens rea of robbery?

Answer 4

1. The MR to steal

2. Intended to use force in doing so

Question 5

When is it not robbery?

Answer 5

Unless there is evidence of completed theft (MR/AR) then it’s not robbery or theft.

Question 6

Does there need to be a certain amount of force? (Robbery)

Answer 6

The amount of force used can be small or large

Question 7

Robbery: fear of force…

Answer 7

• Putting V in ‘fear of force’ is enough for robbery.

- Can be robebry even when the victim doesn’t appear to be frightened.

Question 8

What are the elements of the robbery definition?

Answer 8

• Theft
• Force or threat of force
• On any person, Immediately before or at time of theft, In order to do so (steal)

Question 9

Robbery: Immediately before or at time of the theft

Answer 9

Must be a continuing act. If the theft is complete, it is not robbery.

Question 10

Robbery: force used in order to steal

Answer 10

If force is used for another purpose, it is not robbery, even if D decides afterwards to steal.