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TheftVerified against official source
This range was checked against the official legal text. Last verified: 2026-10-19.
Statutory range
Summary (either-way)
- Imprisonment
- 0 (no mandatory prison) – 12 months (general limit in a magistrates' court)
- Fine
- Unlimited fine (statutory maximum)
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.
Theft is triable either way; s.7 states only the indictment maximum.
On indictment
- Imprisonment
- 0 (no mandatory prison) – 7 years
- Fine
- Unlimited fine
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.
No value tiers in the statute — the same maximum applies whatever the value stolen; value affects guideline sentencing only (Sentencing Council guidelines are not the statute).