Robbery

• Robbery

  An indictable offence, charged under S8 of the Theft Act 1968, with a maximum sentence of Life imprisonment
• Definition of Robbery according to S8


  A person is guilty of Robbery if they steal (theft) and immediately before or at the time of doing the act, they use force or any person or seek/intend to make them fear the use of force
• Steps for Robbery

  1. Committed theft (actus reus of theft)

  2. Uses force/Threatens to use force on any person

  3. Theft mens rea (dishonestly + ITPD)

  4. Intention to use or threaten force
• Actus reus for Robbery


  • Person must have firstly committed the actus reus of theft (appropriates property belonging to another)

  1. The use of force or threat of force must happen immediately before or at the time of stealing
• Corcoran v Anderton


  • D was guilty of robbery as they satisfied all elements of theft when they grabbed the bag (with the relevant force)
• R v Waters


  • D wasn't guilty of robbery as all elements of theft weren't committed
• Force required for Robbery

  • Force doesn't need to be substantial, can be a small amount like a nudge/push (Dawson v James)

  1. Not necessary for victim to be aware of the threat or feel threatened, only requires D to seek/intend to make the victim fear the use of force (B & R v DPP)
• Victim for Robbery

  • The victim doesn't have to be the person who is threatened by the force, S8 states 'any person' (Clouden)