Abstracting electricity

Abstracting electricity is a statutory offence in England and Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

England and Wales

This offence is created by section 13 of the Theft Act 1968:

This section replaces section 10 of the Larceny Act 1916.

The following cases are relevant:

Visiting forces

This offence is an offence against property for the purposes of section 3 of the Visiting Forces Act 1952.

Mode of trial and sentence

This offence is triable either way. A person guilty of this offence is liable, on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years, or on summary conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months, or to a fine not exceeding the prescribed sum, or to both.

History

Section 10 of the Larceny Act 1916 provided:

Northern Ireland

This offence is created by section 13 of the Theft Act (Northern Ireland) 1969, which is identical to section 13 of the Theft Act 1968. It replaces section 10 of the Larceny Act 1916.