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Burglary: What Happens If You Get Caught in the UK?

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Lilian

26/10/2022

Law

Burglary

Burglary: What Happens If You Get Caught in the UK?

The Theft Act 1968 defines burglary and its associated penalties in the UK. This act outlines two main types of burglary under Section 9, with significant legal implications for offenders. The law distinguishes between entering a building with criminal intent and committing a crime after entering as a trespasser, each carrying severe consequences.

• Burglary is a serious offence with a maximum sentence of 14 years imprisonment for building-related cases.
• The act defines two types of burglary: entering with criminal intent (Section 9(1)(a)) and committing a crime after trespassing (Section 9(1)(b)).
• Key elements include trespassing, intent to commit specific crimes, and the timing of the criminal act.
• Legal interpretations of 'entry', 'building', and 'trespasser' have been refined through case law.

...

26/10/2022

255

Burglary
-The maximum sentence for burglary is 14 years imprisonment when it is
committed in respect of a building.
-It is a Triable either

View

Evaluation and Legal Implications

This page provides an evaluation of the burglary offence as defined in the Theft Act 1968 and highlights some of the legal implications and inconsistencies within the legislation.

A notable inconsistency in the burglary legislation is the difference in treatment of criminal damage between Section 911aa and Section 911bb of the Theft Act 1968. While Section 911aa includes criminal damage as one of the ulterior offences that can constitute burglary if intended upon entry, Section 911bb does not include it as an offence that can turn trespass into burglary if committed after entry.

Highlight: If a defendant only develops the intention to commit criminal damage once inside the building, this cannot be charged as burglary under Section 911bb, but would instead be charged as criminal damage.

This discrepancy raises questions about the consistency and comprehensiveness of the law. It creates a situation where the timing of the formation of criminal intent becomes crucial in determining whether an act can be classified as burglary or simply as criminal damage.

Example: If someone breaks into a building intending to cause damage, it's burglary under Section 911aa. However, if they enter without that intent but then decide to cause damage once inside, it's not burglary under Section 911bb, only criminal damage.

This evaluation highlights the need for legal professionals and lawmakers to consider whether this distinction serves the interests of justice or if it creates an unnecessary complication in the prosecution of property offences.

Quote: "It is unclear why s911aa includes criminal damage as the ulterior offence but s911bb does not."

The implications of this inconsistency could potentially affect how cases are charged and prosecuted, potentially leading to different outcomes for similar criminal behaviors based solely on the timing of the criminal intent formation.

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Law

255

26 Oct 2022

2 pages

Burglary: What Happens If You Get Caught in the UK?

The Theft Act 1968defines burglary and its associated penalties in the UK. This act outlines two main types of burglary under Section 9, with significant legal implications for offenders. The law distinguishes between entering a building with criminal intent... Show more

Burglary
-The maximum sentence for burglary is 14 years imprisonment when it is
committed in respect of a building.
-It is a Triable either

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Evaluation and Legal Implications

This page provides an evaluation of the burglary offence as defined in the Theft Act 1968 and highlights some of the legal implications and inconsistencies within the legislation.

A notable inconsistency in the burglary legislation is the difference in treatment of criminal damage between Section 911aa and Section 911bb of the Theft Act 1968. While Section 911aa includes criminal damage as one of the ulterior offences that can constitute burglary if intended upon entry, Section 911bb does not include it as an offence that can turn trespass into burglary if committed after entry.

Highlight: If a defendant only develops the intention to commit criminal damage once inside the building, this cannot be charged as burglary under Section 911bb, but would instead be charged as criminal damage.

This discrepancy raises questions about the consistency and comprehensiveness of the law. It creates a situation where the timing of the formation of criminal intent becomes crucial in determining whether an act can be classified as burglary or simply as criminal damage.

Example: If someone breaks into a building intending to cause damage, it's burglary under Section 911aa. However, if they enter without that intent but then decide to cause damage once inside, it's not burglary under Section 911bb, only criminal damage.

This evaluation highlights the need for legal professionals and lawmakers to consider whether this distinction serves the interests of justice or if it creates an unnecessary complication in the prosecution of property offences.

Quote: "It is unclear why s911aa includes criminal damage as the ulterior offence but s911bb does not."

The implications of this inconsistency could potentially affect how cases are charged and prosecuted, potentially leading to different outcomes for similar criminal behaviors based solely on the timing of the criminal intent formation.

Burglary
-The maximum sentence for burglary is 14 years imprisonment when it is
committed in respect of a building.
-It is a Triable either

Sign up to see the contentIt's free!

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Improve your grades

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By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Understanding Burglary Under the Theft Act 1968

The Theft Act 1968 provides a comprehensive framework for understanding and prosecuting burglary offences in the UK. This page delves into the specifics of burglary, its legal definitions, and the potential consequences for offenders.

Burglary Sentencing Guidelines stipulate that the maximum sentence for burglary is 14 years imprisonment when committed in respect of a building. It is classified as a triable either way offence, meaning it can be heard in either magistrates' court or crown court depending on the severity of the case.

The act defines two distinct types of burglary under Section 9:

  1. Section 911aa Burglary: This occurs when the defendant enters any building or part of a building as a trespasser with the intent to steal, inflict grievous bodily harm GBHGBH, or cause unlawful damage to the building or anything inside it. The offence is committed at the moment of entry.
  2. Section 911bb Burglary: This is committed when the defendant, having entered any building or part of a building as a trespasser, proceeds to steal orattempttostealor attempt to steal or inflict GBH orattempttoinflictGBHor attempt to inflict GBH on any person in the building. The offence is committed at the time of the ulterior offence.

Definition: Trespasser in the context of burglary refers to someone who goes beyond the permission given to them, as established in the case R v Jones and Smith.

Highlight: The intention to trespass must be either deliberate or the defendant must be subjectively reckless about whether they are trespassing.

Key legal concepts related to burglary have been further defined through case law:

  • 'Entry' is not explicitly defined in the act but has been interpreted through cases such as R v Collins, R v Brown, and R v Ryan.
  • 'Building or part of a building' has been referred to in Stevens v Gourley as "a structure of considerable size and intended to be permanent," with further clarification in the case B and S v Leathley.

Example: If someone enters a house through an open window with the intention of stealing valuables, they commit burglary under Section 911aa as soon as they cross the threshold, even if they don't actually steal anything.

The mens rea mentalelementmental element for burglary varies depending on the subsection:

  • For Section 911aa, the defendant must have the intention to commit either theft, GBH, or criminal damage before entry.
  • For Section 911bb, the defendant must have the mens rea for theft or GBH when committing or attempting to commit the actus reus of one of these offences after entering.

Vocabulary: Mens rea refers to the mental element of a crime, often involving intent or knowledge of wrongdoing.

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Thomas R

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Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.

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This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.

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very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.

Rohan U

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I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.

Xander S

iOS user

THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮

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This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now

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