This can include a street mugging or robbery of a shop, business or security vehicle.ĭue to the violent nature of robbery, it is treated as being more serious than theft and the maximum sentence is life.īurglary is committed when an offender either: The definition as set out in legislation is as follows: “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 of being then and there subjected to force”. The maximum sentence for theft is seven years.

In legislation “a person is guilty of theft if he dishonestly appropriates property belonging to another with the intention of permanently depriving the other of it.” This could mean someone stealing from a shop, picking someone’s pocket, stealing a bicycle or car, an employee stealing from their workplace or a guest stealing something from a house during a party. Burglary means illegally entering a property in order to steal property from it.īelow is a summary of each offence and what it involves. Theft means taking someone’s property but does not involve the use of force.

Put very simply, someone is guilty of robbery if he steals from a person using force or makes them think force will be used. There are, however, very clear differences between these offences. In reports about crimes where money or property are taken, “theft”, “burglary” and “robbery” are terms often used interchangeably. Additional note: Availability of ancillary orders.Automatic orders on conviction for sexual offences Forfeiture or suspension of liquor licence

Forfeiture and destruction of weapons orders Forfeiture and destruction of goods bearing unauthorised trade mark Disqualification from ownership of animals Disqualification from driving – general power Destruction orders and contingent destruction orders for dogs

Thief meaning