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Theft
There are many kinds of theft. You can rob a person with the help of a gun (robbery) or with a pen (fraud). The implication is that one kind is open and clear, the other is hidden. Both educated and uneducated people can be thieves. It is just that they steal different things. The thefts of a rich person can be much bigger and, perhaps, not seen as theft by society.
Thef is not the same as burglary which is only a small part of theft. Theft is not just about (stealing) taking property. It (involves) concerns many other related activities.
So what is theft?
Section 1 (1) of the Theft Act 1968 creates the offence of theft, stating that:
'A person is guilty of theft if he dishonestly appropriates (keeps) property (items) belonging to another with the intention of permanently depriving the other of it (keeping it from the other)'.
The components (elements) of theft are: a. The actus reus (the guity deed) of the (offence) crime. This states that the defendant:
- takes
- one or more items
- owned by another person.
b. The mens rea (the guity mind) which consists of the defendant (accused) acting (behaving):
- dishonestly, and
- meaning to keep the item forever.
A possible defence against a charge of theft is that you (did not know) were not aware the property belonged to another party, or that you intended to (return) give back the property.
Language Note
to rob and to steal are near synonyms, but they are used for different things
- you rob a person or a place, but
- you steal a thing, or money.
People sometimes confuse robbery and burglary
- you rob a bank, but
- you burgle a house.
Synonyms:
- property - items
- belonging to - owned by
- with the intention of - meaning to
- permanently - forever
- to appropriate - to take