Motoring9 mins ago
Hi, I Believe I Might Be Arrested For Handling Stolen Goods..
21 Answers
i found a box of items at the side of the road - the box itself had no markings on and inside there was no delivery note or any documentation of where they had come from - there was also no delivery address or retun to sender address on the outside of the box - i took them home and didnt have a clue what they were so eventually tried to sell them on a auction site, stupid i know as the company have now got in contact, and threatening legal action - i explained i just found the box that i was willing to return it to them.. the total amount its worth is probably £300 ish. whats the worst that can happen? as now im really worried
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You can't be convicted of handling stolen goods unless you knew or believed that the goods had been stolen (rather than just lost). [Section 22(1), Theft Act 1968].
You might be charged with theft but person isn't guilty of theft "if he appropriates the property in the belief that the person to whom the property belongs cannot be discovered by taking reasonable steps" [Section 2(1)(c), Theft Act 1968].
So, if you were to be charged with stealing the items you might have a valid defence (but I'd recommend taking a solicitor's advice as to whether it would actually stand up in court).
If you were convicted of stealing the items then (unless you've got a long history of dishonesty or you're currently subject to a suspended prison sentence) there's no way that you would be sent to prison. You'd probably just end up with a Community Order (i.e. unpaid work) and have to pay a court fee, a 'victim surcharge' and legal costs.
You might be charged with theft but person isn't guilty of theft "if he appropriates the property in the belief that the person to whom the property belongs cannot be discovered by taking reasonable steps" [Section 2(1)(c), Theft Act 1968].
So, if you were to be charged with stealing the items you might have a valid defence (but I'd recommend taking a solicitor's advice as to whether it would actually stand up in court).
If you were convicted of stealing the items then (unless you've got a long history of dishonesty or you're currently subject to a suspended prison sentence) there's no way that you would be sent to prison. You'd probably just end up with a Community Order (i.e. unpaid work) and have to pay a court fee, a 'victim surcharge' and legal costs.
I agree with Talbot that nothing makes sense with this story and that we only know 'some' of the facts. If you didn't know what they were, which is hardly believable, you could have asked someone. What did you advertise them as.
Having said that, there is some confusion about any criminal activity. The only way a person can be guilty of Theft by finding is if it can be proved that by taking reasonable steps the owner can be traced, and this does NOT include taking it to a Police Station, as most people think.
Having said that, there is some confusion about any criminal activity. The only way a person can be guilty of Theft by finding is if it can be proved that by taking reasonable steps the owner can be traced, and this does NOT include taking it to a Police Station, as most people think.
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