Theft and fraud Flashcards
Which statute defines theft?
Theft Act 1968
What is theft, according to the Theft Act 1968
A person is guilty of theft if he dishonestly appropriates property belonging to another with the intention of permanently depriving the other of it
S3
Appropriation
s4
Of property
s5
Belonging to another
s6
Intention to permanently deprive
s2
Dishonesty
What is an appropriation of property?
s3: Any assumption by a person of the rights of an owner
What is the leading case for appropriation of property?
Morris
Morris
D switched labels at a supermarket to purchase the goods at a lower price. By doing so, D assumed the rights of the owner=appropriation of propert.y
Gomez
assistant manager of an electrical shop convinced his manager to allow 2 stolen checks.
Notwistanding consent, D held to have appropriated property
HInks
D befriended V (naive, trusting and of limited intelligence)
D argued that 60k= gift
held- d convicted of theft
Where won’t appropriation be found?
s3(2) where D believes she purchased the property in good faith, assuming ownership of property.
If it transpires that the full title was not transferred (goods had been stolen) D is excused from conviction of theft
What is legally recognised as being property?
S4(2) includes money and all other property, real or personal, including things in action and other intangible property.
What is real property?
Land
What is personal property?
All other property that is not land- includes illegal / prohibited
How is possession defined? S5 1
Property shall be regarded as belonging to any person having possession or control of it, or having in it any proprietary right or interest (not being an equitable interest arising only from an agreement to transfer or grant an interest).
Rostron
D trespassed golf course and had taken lost golf balls- owner had maintained possession and control over them = theft by D
Turner (No 2)
D had his car repaired at the garage. To avoid payment, D took the car. Guilty of theft
Marshall
D obtained part used tickes on the underground. London underground claimed ownership of the tickets
Gresham
Ds mother died. D did not inform power of attorney, who continued making pension payments for ten years. D had a duty under s5(4) to return the money
What was the test set out in ivey?
Dishonesty is found by looking to D’s knowledge or belief as to the facts and whether D’s conduct was dishonest by the standards of reasonable people
What is robbery?
S8 TA 1968 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.
AG’s Reference (No 1 and 2)
D still demonstrates an intenttion to steal at the time of appropriation
P v DPP
D snatched a lit cigarette from V’s hand. No contact was made with V. D was charged with robbery.
Youth Court: guilty of robbery.
High Court: appeal allowed, and conviction for theft substituted. D’s snatching of the cigarette did not amount to sufficient ‘force’ to satisfy robbery.
Hale
D1 and D2 broke into V’s house. Whilst D1 stole V’s jewellery, D2 tied V up. D1 and D2 were charged with robbery.
Crown Court: guilty of robbery.
Court of Appeal: convictions upheld on appeal. Even if the appropriation by D1 might have occurred fractionally before the force used by D2, the act of theft can be interpreted as a continuing act. The elements of robbery therefore coincided in time.
What must there be to establish robbery?
Intentional link- D must use force to steal
What is burglary?
S9 TA 1968
A person is guilty of burglary if—
(a)
he enters any building or part of a building as a trespasser and with intent to commit any such offence as is mentioned in subsection (2) below; or
(b)
having entered any building or part of a building as a trespasser he steals or attempts to steal anything in the building or that part of it or inflicts or attempts to inflict on any person therein any grievous bodily harm.
When is D liable?
At the point of entry, provided he has the requisite intent
Ryan
D attempted to break into v’s house but became wedged in the kitchen window.
Charged with s9(1)
Whats the MR for sec 9 (1)(a)
Intention/reckless to trespass;
Intent to steal, cause, cause GBH or criminal damage