A shopper walks into a supermarket during opening hours, then slips through a door marked “Staff only” into the stock room, intending to steal. Staff stop them before they touch anything.
Which offence is complete?
- Your answer
- Correct answer
- B Burglary, s.9(1)(a)
They had permission to be in the shop, not the stock room. Entering part of a building as a trespasser with intent to steal is burglary under s.9(1)(a). It’s complete the moment they step in.
s.9(1)(b) needs them to steal, or try to, once inside. Theft needs an appropriation. Neither happened.