Theft Act 1968
Jurisdiction | UK Non-devolved |
Citation | 1968 c. 60 |
Year | 1968 |
(1) A person is guilty of theft if he dishonestly appropriates property belonging to another with the intention of permanently depriving the other of it; and “thief” and “steal” shall be construed accordingly.(2) It is immaterial whether the appropriation is made with a view to gain, or is made for the thief’s own benefit.(3) The five following sections of this Act shall have effect as regards the interpretation and operation of this section (and, except as otherwise provided by this Act, shall apply only for purposes of this section) .if he appropriates the property in the belief that he has in law the right to deprive the other of it, on behalf of himself or of a third person; orif he appropriates the property in the belief that he would have the other’s consent if the other knew of the appropriation and the circumstances of it; or(except where the property came to him as trustee or personal representative) if he appropriates the property in the belief that the person to whom the property belongs cannot be discovered by taking reasonable steps.(2) A person’s appropriation of property belonging to another may be dishonest notwithstanding that he is willing to pay for the property.(1) Any assumption by a person of the rights of an owner amounts to an appropriation, and this includes, where he has come by the property (innocently or not) without stealing it, any later assumption of a right to it by keeping or dealing with it as owner.(2) Where property or a right or interest in property is or purports to be transferred for value to a person acting in good faith, no later assumption by him of rights which he believed himself to be acquiring shall, by reason of any defect in the transferor’s title, amount to theft of the property.(1) “Property” includes money and all other property, real or personal, including things in action and other intangible property.when he is a trustee or personal representative, or is authorised by power of attorney, or as liquidator of a company, or otherwise, to sell or dispose of land belonging to another, and he appropriates the land or anything forming part of it by dealing with it in breach of the confidence reposed in him; orwhen he is not in possession of the land and appropriates anything forming part of the land by severing it or causing it to be severed, or after it has been severed; orwhen, being in possession of the land under a tenancy, he appropriates the whole or part of any fixture or structure let to be used with the land.(3) A person who picks mushrooms growing wild on any land, or who picks flowers, fruit or foliage from a plant growing wild on any land, does not (although not in possession of the land) steal what he picks, unless he does it for reward or for sale or other commercial purpose.
- For purposes of this subsection “mushroom” includes any fungus, and “plant” includes any shrub or tree.
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