Theft
Theft (Theft Act 1968)
General definition: Theft Act 1968 s1(1)
Actus reus
o Appropriation
Defined by s.3(1)
The assumption of the rights of an owner can be of any single right of ownership. Any
behavior of ownership (picking up, touching, even selling) is a complete act of
appropriation. R v Morris [1984]
Appropriation requires the accused to exercise the right of ownership, not the victim
of the alleged theft, even if the accused has been deceived into exercising the right. R
v Briggs [2004]
Appropriation can take place with or without the owner's consent. R v Gomez [1993]
Theft (Theft Act 1968)
General definition: Theft Act 1968 s1(1)
Actus reus
o Appropriation
Defined by s.3(1)
The assumption of the rights of an owner can be of any single right of ownership. Any
behavior of ownership (picking up, touching, even selling) is a complete act of
appropriation. R v Morris [1984]
Appropriation requires the accused to exercise the right of ownership, not the victim
of the alleged theft, even if the accused has been deceived into exercising the right. R
v Briggs [2004]
Appropriation can take place with or without the owner's consent. R v Gomez [1993]
