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Robbery

Robbery is an offence containing elements of larceny and assault. There must be an unlawful taking of property by actual violence or by putting the owner in fear of actual violence. Alternative offences are 'assault with intent to rob' and 'steal from the person'

To prove robbery, the prosecution must show beyond reasonable doubt that:

• A person intended to steal, and

• That person took property from another person’s immediate control or presence, and

• The property was taken through the use of threats or force, causing the victim fear,

A robbery is aggravated or taken to be more serious if before, during or immediately after the robbery corporal violence is used, causing actual bodily harm or a person is deprived of their liberty. The penalty for aggravated robbery is 20 years imprisonment.

Armed robbery or robbery in company is particularised as its own offence. The penalty is 20 years unless a dangerous weapon was used, in which case the penalty is 25 years. The maximum penalty also increases to 25 years if a victim is wounded or suffers grievous bodily harm.