If you find yourself accused of theft, our experienced solicitors at Waldrons can represent you. Our team provides practical and easy-to-understand advice to help you achieve the outcome you’re looking for.
Section one of the Theft Act 1968 states that an individual is found guilty of theft if he “dishonestly appropriates property belonging to another with the intention of permanently depriving the other of it”. This means the property was taken without the owner’s consent, and the person taking it didn’t intend to return it. The Theft Act 1968 also includes legislation about theft and a number of other offences related to theft.
The above statement from the Theft Act 1968 needs to be proved. Theft occurs when you take someone’s property dishonestly, meaning it was done without the owner’s permission. It also means the person stealing the property didn’t have the intention to give it back. Evidence will be used to prove this, such as CCTV, witness testimonies and financial records.
The charges for theft depend on a wide number of factors, such as the value of what was stolen and how the property was taken. For example, petty theft is when goods worth £200 or less are stolen, and the maximum penalty for this is six months or a fine. On the other hand, aggravated theft is when the crime involves threatening someone or using force against them. This often involves 1 to 13 years in prison, but can result in life imprisonment in very severe cases.
They all involve taking someone’s property without permission, but their definitions differ slightly. Theft involves taking something, but without threats, force, or breaking in. It involves crimes like shoplifting and pickpocketing.
Burglary on the other hand, involves illegally entering (often breaking in) with the intent to commit a crime (most often theft). This includes crimes like smashing a car window to steal belongings or breaking into a house to steal some of their property.
Robbery is a type of theft where someone uses violence or a threat of force to intimidate someone. This includes crimes like threatening someone with a knife to steal their money or threatening bank employees and taking their money.
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