What are the elements to the crime of Theft

The offence of Theft is defined in s1 of the Theft Act 1968 as a 'dishonest appropriation of property belonging to another with the intent to permanently deprive the other of it'. The Mens Rea of Theft is 1) dishonesty and 2) an intention to permanently deprive the other of it. The Actus Reus of Theft is 1) appropriation 2) of property 3) belonging to another. All elements of the offence need to be made out in order for the offence to be found. Appropriation is defined by Lord Roskill in R v Morris as an 'assumption of any of the rights of the owner', this means that appropriation can take place when the defendant has assumed a single right, it need not be all rights of the owner.

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Answered by Polly S. Law tutor

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