This chapter examines a number of related offences that are found in the Theft Acts 1968 and 1978. The chapter considers the rationale for the existence of these offences and examines why it was considered necessary to have offences that supplement the general offence of theft.
Chapter
16. Related offences in the Theft Acts 1968 and 1978
Chapter
21. Making off without payment
David Ormerod and Karl Laird
This chapter considers the offence of making off without payment. Under s 3 of the Theft Act 1978, a person is guilty of an offence if he dishonestly makes off without making payment as required or expected and with the intent of avoiding payment of the amount due. The offence aims to deal in a simple and straightforward way with a person who having consumed a meal in a restaurant, filled the tank of a car with petrol or reached their destination in a taxi, leaves without paying. Although factually simple, difficulties arise in prosecuting such cases as theft. The chapter covers various elements including goods supplied or service done, unenforceable debts and dishonesty.
Chapter
11. Property offences 2: fraud and other property offences
This chapter examines property offences focusing on fraud, making off without payment, blackmail, and criminal damage. It explains the key provisions of the Fraud Act 2006 for different types of fraud, including fraud by false representation, fraud by failing to disclose information, fraud by abuse of position, and obtaining services dishonestly. It clarifies the difference between fraud and the previous offences of deception. The chapter then discusses burglary, aggravated burglary, criminal damage, and blackmail and identifies the types of legal defence that can be successfully employed for these offences. It also considers racially and religiously aggravated criminal damage, criminal damage endangering life, and arson.
