9. Theft

Abstract

Without assuming prior legal knowledge, books in the Directions series introduce and guide readers through key points of law and legal debate. Questions, diagrams, and exercises help readers to engage fully with each subject and check their understanding as they progress. This chapter discusses the offence of theft. There are five elements of the offence of theft. Three are actus reus elements: appropriation; property; and belonging to another. There are two mens rea elements: dishonesty and intention to permanently deprive. The prosecution must prove all five elements in order for a conviction of theft to be successful. If one of the elements is missing, any prosecution for theft will fail.