Definitions Flashcards
(33 cards)
Theft - Section 219(1), Crimes Act 1961
Dishonestly without claim of right takes any property with intent to deprive any owner permanently of that property or of any interest in that property
R V SKIVINGTON
“Larceny [or theft] is an ingredient of robbery, and if the honest belief that a man has a claim of right is a defence to larceny, then it negatives one of the ingredients in the offence of robbery, without proof of which the full offence is not made out.”
R V LAPIER
Robbery is complete the instant the property is taken, even if possession by the thief is only momentary.
Possession
Possession may be actual or constructive.
Actual Possession
Actual possession arises where the thing in question is in a person’s physical custody; it is on or about their person, or immediately at hand.
WARNER v METROPOLITION POLICE COMMISSIONER
Ideal Possession
The term “possession” must be given a sensible and reasonable meaning in its context. Ideally, a possessor of a thing has:
- Complete physical control over it
- Knowledge of its existence, its situation and its qualities
Accompanied by:
The prosecution must prove:
- a connection between the violence or threats of violence and the stealing of the property.
- it must be shown that the defendant had an intent to steal at the time the violence or threats were used
- the violence or threats were used for the purpose of extorting the property, or preventing or overcoming resistance to it being stolen
R V MAIHI
It is implicit in ‘accompany’ that there must be a nexus (connection or link) between the act of stealing … and a threat of violence. Both must be present.” However the term “does not require that the act of stealing and the threat of violence be contemporaneous …”
Violence
In the context of robbery, must be more than a minimal degree of force and more than a technical assault but does not require physical bodily injury.
PENEHA v POLICE
It is sufficient that the actions of the defendant forcibly interfere with personal freedom or amount to forcible, powerful or violent action or motion producing a very marked or powerful effect tending to cause bodily injury or discomfort.
To any Person
Gender neutral, proven by judicial notice or circumstantial evidence.
Violence or threats can be directed at any person not just the victim.
Property
Property - Section 2, Crimes Act 1961
Property includes real and personal property, and any estate or interest in any real or personal property, [money, electricity,] and any thing in action and any other right or interest.
Extort
To “extort” means “to obtain by coercion or intimidation.”
Extortion implies an overbearing of the will of the victim, and the prosecution must show that the threats induced the victim to part with his property.
Robbery
Section 234 (1), Crimes Act 1961 Theft accompanied by violence or threats of violence to any person or property used to extort the property stolen or used to overcome resistance to the property being stolen.
At the time of
During the commission of the theft, at the time of taking with the required intent.
Grievous Bodily Harm
Grievous bodily harm can be defined simply as harm that is really serious.
DPP V SMITH
Bodily harm needs no explanation, grievous means no more and no less than really serious.
Intent
A person does something intentionally if they mean to do it, they desire a specific result and act with the aim or purpose of achieving it.
R v MOHAN
Intent involves a decision to bring about in so far as it lies within the accused power, the commission of the offence.
R v WAAKA
A fleeting or passing thought is not sufficient, there must be a firm intent or a firm purpose to effect an act.
Being together with
There must proof that, in committing the robbery, the defendant was part of a joint enterprise by two or more persons who were physically present at the robbery.
R v JOYCE
Two persons were physically present at the time of the robbery was committed or assault occurred.
Assault – Section 2, Crimes Act 1961
assault means the act of intentionally applying or attempting to apply force to the person of another, directly or indirectly, or threatening by any act or gesture to apply such force to the person of another, if the person making the threat has, or causes the other to believe on reasonable grounds that he has, present ability to effect his purpose and to assault has a corresponding meaning
R V CHARTRAND
Without lawful justification, authority or excuse”.