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Making off without paymentVerified against official source
This range was checked against the official legal text. Last verified: 2026-10-19.
Statutory range
Summary
- Imprisonment
- 0 (no mandatory prison) – 6 months
- Fine
- Statutory maximum (prescribed sum; unlimited for offences committed on/after 12 Mar 2015)
0 = the law sets no minimum prison term. The court is not required to impose prison. Depending on the offence, jurisdiction, and case, it may instead impose a non-custodial sentence — e.g. a suspended sentence, community order / probation, a fine, or a discharge.
On indictment
- Imprisonment
- 0 (no mandatory prison) – 2 years
- Fine
- No fine stated in s. 4(2)(b)
0 = the law sets no minimum prison term. The court is not required to impose prison. Depending on the offence, jurisdiction, and case, it may instead impose a non-custodial sentence — e.g. a suspended sentence, community order / probation, a fine, or a discharge.
Dishonestly making off knowing payment on the spot is required, intending to avoid payment.
Either-way offence under Theft Act 1978 ss. 3–4. s. 4(2) states imprisonment only on indictment; the summary fine is the 'prescribed sum' (statutory maximum).