Under the Theft Act 1968, which statement best defines theft?

• A. Dishonestly appropriating property belonging to another with the intention to permanently deprive the other of it.
• B. Intentionally deceiving another to obtain their property without legal reason.
• C. Taking property temporarily without permission but intending to return it.
• D. Receiving stolen property knowing it was stolen.

Answer: (A)

The essential idea is that theft requires that someone dishonestly takes or uses property that belongs to someone else and intends to keep it in a way that deprives the owner permanently. Appropriation means treating the property as your own or otherwise assuming the owner’s rights over it. The property must belong to another person, and there must be an intention to permanently deprive the owner of it. Dishonesty is also required for the act to be theft.

That’s why the statement that combines dishonesty, appropriation of someone else’s property, and an intention to permanently deprive fits the definition best. The other options either describe different offences (such as theft by deception or handling stolen goods) or describe taking something temporarily with the plan to return it, which does not meet the permanent deprivation element.