definition theft
How is the theft of stolen property handled legally?
<p>Many definitions of "theft" include specific text regarding "the rightful owner" or a variant necessitating that the victim of theft owned the property. (emphasis mine)</p>

<p>For example, <a href="http://legal-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/theft">The Free Dictionary</a> defines theft as:</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>A criminal act in which property <strong>belonging to another</strong> is taken
  without that person's consent.</p>
</blockquote>

<p><a href="http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/theft">Merriam Webster</a> defines it similarly:</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>the act of stealing; specifically :  the felonious taking and removing
  of personal property with intent to deprive the <strong>rightful owner</strong> of it</p>
</blockquote>

<p>How do these definitions apply if the person being stolen from is not actually the rightful owner, and has in fact stolen the property himself? What criminal repercussions do thieves of stolen property face?</p>

<p>In England and Wales, theft is defined by <a href="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1968/60/section/1" rel="noreferrer">s1 Theft Act 1968</a>:</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>A person is guilty of theft if he dishonestly appropriates property belonging to another with the intention of permanently depriving the other of it</p>
</blockquote>

<p>It does not matter if the victim is not the rightful owner of the property, as the law only requires that the property belongs to <em>another</em>: the victim and owner can be two different people.  As long as the other elements are present, the offence is committed.  It's important when considering theft to look for dishonesty and intention to permanently deprive: borrowing something without permission with the intention to return it isn't theft, and nor is taking something by mistake.</p>

<p>Theft is an 'either-way' offence (i.e. it can be tried summarily or by a jury), and in the latter case carries a maximum penalty of seven years in prison (<a href="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1968/60/section/7" rel="noreferrer">s7 TA 1968</a>).</p>
