The Theft Act 1968

Question 1

What is in the act?

Answer 1

• Provides the definition of theft
• Theft must involve dishonest appropriation
• If person doesn’t believe they have taken something dishonestly, this cannot be classed as theft.

Question 2

Definition of theft?

Answer 2

“A person is guilty of theft if he dishonestly appropriates property belonging to another with the intention of permanently depriving the other of it; ‘thief’ and ‘steal’ will be constructed accordingly.

Question 3

R V Ghosh (1982)

Answer 3

• Hospital consultant falsely claimed for a surgical operation he did not perform
• TEST OF WHAT DISHONESTY IS;
  1. Whether the person acted dishonestly by the standard of ordinary & honest people
  2. Did they realise what they were doing by standards was dishonest.