Robbery

Question 1

Where is robbery defined in UK law?

Answer 1

Robbery is defined under Section 8 of the Theft Act 1968.

Question 2

What statute defines robbery?

Answer 2

The Theft Act 1968 defines robbery.

Question 3

What section of the Theft Act 1968 covers robbery?

Answer 3

Section 8 of the Theft Act covers robbery.

Question 4

What is the legal definition of robbery under the Theft Act 1968?

Answer 4

Robbery is defined as the use or threat of force on a person immediately before or at the time of stealing to facilitate the theft.

Question 5

What differentiates robbery from simple theft?

Answer 5

Robbery includes the use or threat of force, whereas theft does not.

Question 6

Explain how theft is an element of robbery.

Answer 6

Robbery cannot occur without theft; taking property is a requirement for robbery.

Question 7

Can a robbery occur without theft? Explain why or why not.

Answer 7

No, because theft is an essential component of robbery under the Theft Act.

Question 8

What is the maximum sentence for robbery under UK law?

Answer 8

The maximum sentence for robbery is life imprisonment.

Question 9

What types of property can be subject to robbery?

Answer 9

Any type of property that can be stolen can be subject to robbery.

Question 10

Who can be a victim of robbery under UK law?

Answer 10

Any person can be a victim of robbery if force or threats are used against them.

Question 11

What are the four key elements of robbery?

Answer 11

The four key elements are theft, use or threat of force, timing of the force, and intent to use force to steal.

Question 12

Why is force or threat of force essential in proving robbery?

Answer 12

Force or threat of force distinguishes robbery from theft and must be present to classify the offense as robbery.

Question 13

What role does timing play in the offense of robbery?

Answer 13

Force must be used immediately before or at the time of theft to meet the legal definition of robbery.

Question 14

How does the intention to use force relate to robbery?

Answer 14

Force must be used or threatened with the intent to facilitate the theft for it to qualify as robbery.

Question 15

What constitutes a “threat of force” in robbery?

Answer 15

A threat of force can be verbal, physical, or implied by actions that make the victim fear harm.

Question 16

Can a person be convicted of robbery if no force was actually used?

Answer 16

Yes, if there was a credible threat of force that made the victim fear harm.

Question 17

What is the importance of the victim’s perception of force?

Answer 17

If the victim perceives a threat, it can fulfill the force requirement for robbery, even if no physical force was used.

Question 18

Explain the concept of “immediate” in relation to force in robbery.

Answer 18

Force must be applied or threatened immediately before or during the theft, not after.

Question 19

Does the force used have to be significant to constitute robbery?

Answer 19

No, even minimal force can constitute robbery if it is enough to overcome resistance.

Question 20

How does intention to steal differentiate robbery from assault?

Answer 20

Robbery includes both theft and force, while assault only involves physical harm or threats without theft.

Question 21

What precedent was set by Dawson & James (1976)?

Answer 21

It established that minimal force, such as a push, is sufficient for robbery.

Question 22

How does Dawson & James define the level of force needed for robbery?

Answer 22

Minimal force that aids in the theft can qualify as force for robbery.

Question 23

What does Bentham (2005) say about threats involving fake weapons?

Answer 23

Threatening with a fake weapon can constitute a threat of force in robbery.

Question 24

How did the case of B and R v DPP (2007) interpret threat perception?

Answer 24

It ruled that robbery can occur even if the victim is not scared, as long as force or a threat was used.

Question 25

What does B and R v DPP illustrate about the victim’s reaction to force?

Answer 25

The victim’s lack of fear does not negate the use of force for the purposes of robbery.

Question 26

Explain the ruling in DPP v P (2012) regarding indirect force.

Answer 26

It held that indirect force, such as grabbing a handbag, can be sufficient for robbery.

Question 27

Does DPP v P allow for indirect actions to constitute force?

Answer 27

Yes, indirect actions affecting the victim’s control over their property can count as force.

Question 28

Can verbal threats alone constitute force in robbery?

Answer 28

Yes, if the verbal threat makes the victim fear immediate harm.

Question 29

What impact does the victim’s fear have on proving robbery?

Answer 29

The victim’s fear is relevant but not essential if there was an actual threat or use of force.

Question 30

How did Bentham (2005) impact the interpretation of weapons in robbery?

Answer 30

It established that threatening with an imitation weapon is still considered a threat of force.

Question 31

What does the law say about the timing of force in robbery?

Answer 31

Force must be used immediately before or at the time of theft for it to be robbery.

Question 32

How is timing of force crucial in determining a robbery?

Answer 32

Force used after the theft has concluded is not robbery; timing connects force to the theft.

Question 33

Explain the significance of timing in Hale (1979).

Answer 33

Hale ruled that theft can be a continuing act, allowing force used during escape to count as robbery.

Question 34

What was the ruling in Hale regarding continuous acts?

Answer 34

Theft can continue over time, so force used in the escape phase can be part of the robbery.

Question 35

How did Lockley (1995) reinforce the decision in Hale?

Answer 35

Lockley confirmed that force used to escape with stolen goods qualifies as robbery.

Question 36

Why is timing during the escape considered part of the theft in robbery?

Answer 36

The escape is seen as part of the ongoing act of theft, so force used then is included.

Question 37

Can force used after the theft be considered robbery?

Answer 37

Only if the force is part of a continuous act of theft, as in Hale.

Question 38

What does “immediately before or at the time of stealing” mean in robbery cases?

Answer 38

Force must be closely connected to the act of theft in time and purpose.

Question 39

How do courts determine if the force was part of the act of theft?

Answer 39

They examine if the force facilitated or completed the theft, including escape.

Question 40

Can force used to retain stolen property qualify as robbery?

Answer 40

Yes, if force is used to keep possession of the property during an ongoing theft.

Question 41

Why must force be used specifically to steal for robbery?

Answer 41

Force must be used with the purpose of theft; otherwise, it’s assault or another offense.

Question 42

What happens if force is used for a reason other than theft?

Answer 42

It would not be classified as robbery; the force must facilitate the theft.

Question 43

Explain how the intent to steal is linked to the use of force.

Answer 43

For robbery, force must be used or threatened to enable the theft.

Question 44

Can a robbery charge be applied if force is used after the theft is complete?

Answer 44

Generally, no, unless the theft is considered a continuous act, as in Hale.

Question 45

How does the use of force affect the seriousness of robbery compared to theft?

Answer 45

The use of force makes robbery more severe than theft, warranting harsher penalties.

Question 46

What is required to prove that force was used “in order to steal”?

Answer 46

It must be shown that the force was intended to assist in taking or keeping the property.

Question 47

How does the use of force differentiate robbery from extortion?

Answer 47

Robbery involves immediate force or threat to steal, while extortion uses threats for future gain.

Question 48

Does the threat of force alone constitute robbery if no property is taken?

Answer 48

No, theft must occur for the offense to be classified as robbery.

Question 49

Is using force to escape with stolen property still considered robbery?

Answer 49

Yes, as confirmed in Lockley, if the force is used to retain stolen property, it is robbery.

Question 50

What does “force in order to steal” mean in practical terms?

Answer 50

It means that the force or threat must directly facilitate the act of theft.

Question 51

What did Dawson & James (1976) establish about minimal force?

Answer 51

It ruled that even a small amount of force, such as a push, can qualify for robbery.

Question 52

How does Bentham (2005) address the issue of fake weapons in robbery?

Answer 52

It established that threatening with a fake weapon still constitutes a threat of force.

Question 53

What was the decision in B and R v DPP (2007) regarding implied threats?

Answer 53

It held that robbery can occur even if the victim does not feel fear, as long as force was applied or implied.

Question 54

Explain how DPP v P (2012) clarified the concept of indirect force.

Answer 54

It clarified that indirect actions affecting the victim’s control over property count as force.

Question 55

How does Hale (1979) address continuous force in robbery?

Answer 55

It ruled that robbery can include force used during a continuous act of theft, such as during escape.

Question 56

What did Lockley (1995) confirm about using force during escape?

Answer 56

It confirmed that force used to escape with stolen property is still considered part of robbery.

Question 57

How does Bentham differ from B and R v DPP in terms of weapon threats?

Answer 57

Bentham addressed fake weapons, while B and R v DPP focused on the victim’s perception of threat.

Question 58

What role does psychological impact play in robbery cases like Dawson & James?

Answer 58

Psychological impact is considered if it affects the victim’s control or sense of security.

Question 59

Can a robbery occur if the victim is unaware of the force used?

Answer 59

Yes, as long as the force was applied with the intent to steal.

Question 60

How does Lockley support the idea of force as a continuous act?

Answer 60

It reinforced that force during the escape can be part of the theft for robbery.