#theft act

[livingthedream-onemistakeatatime]

Criminal law will be the death of me.

[psequk]

Q - As defined in the Theft Act 1968 is electricity regarded as property?

A - No, property includes includes money and all other property, real or personal, including things in action and other intangible property.

Abstracting Electricity is addressed separately under section 13 of the Theft Act and states that a person who dishonestly uses without due authority, or dishonestly causes to be wasted or diverted, any electricity commits an offence. 

[psequk]

Q - Is picking wild blackberries to make a pie intending to sell it at a charity event an offence?

A - Yes. 

The Theft Act 1968 S.4 specifically addresses fungi, fruit, flowers and foliage growing wild. No offence is committed if any of the above are 'picked', even if your trespassing, unless for reward or for sale or other commercial purpose - even for charity. 

Importantly  the intention is decided at 'point of picking'. Therefore if you were to pick blackberries initially to eat at Sunday lunch but then decide its so good you later sell it to a friend, technically no offence is committed.