Theft Act 1968, s 8(1)

Robbery

The statutory wording, points to prove, defences and penalty — verified against legislation.gov.uk (current revised versions, July 2026).

What the law says

A person is guilty of robbery if he steals, and immediately before or at the time of doing so, and in order to do so, he uses force on any person or puts or seeks to put any person in fear of being then and there subjected to force.

CJS codes
Official CJS offence index (March 2026)
—Charged under the specific underlying offence code.

Points to prove

  • 1. stole property
  • 2. immediately before/at the time of doing so
  • 3. and in order to do so
  • 4. used force on a person or put/sought to put person in fear of immediate force

Defences

  • Defence: If an honest belief that a legal claim of right to the property exists (R v Robinson [1977] Crim LR 173).

Mode of trial & maximum penalty

Indictable only — Indictment: Life imprisonment

Reference only — verify against current legislation and force policy before charge. Spotted an error? Tell us.

Sources

  • Verified dataset — legislation.gov.uk (current revised versions)

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