The NSW Crimes Act (1900) lists out some stealing offences. Specially, in this article, we will outline the following sections in relations to stealing offences:
- Section 132
- Section 133
- Section 134
- Section 135
- Section 136
- Section 137
- Section 138
- Section 139
- Section 140
Section 132 Stealing Offences: Stealing Dog
This Section of the Crimes Act 1900 (NSW) states the following:
“Anyone who has been summarily convicted under this Act or any previous Act for an offence mentioned in this section, and who subsequently steals a dog, or is found in possession of a stolen dog or its skin, knowing it to be stolen, shall be liable to imprisonment for one year.”
Section 133: Taking Money to Restore Dogs
According to Section 133, anyone who knowingly accepts money or any benefit, either directly or indirectly, with the intention of helping someone recover a stolen dog or a dog in the possession of someone other than its rightful owner, will be subject to one year of imprisonment.
Section 134: Stealing, Destroying etc Valuable Security
Anyone who steals, misappropriates, or unlawfully destroys, cancels, removes, or hides any part or all of a valuable security for fraudulent purposes shall be liable to punishment as if they had stolen a physical object, and shall face punishment accordingly.
Section 135: Stealing, Destroying Etc Wills or Codicils
Anyone who steals, destroys, cancels, obliterates, or hides any part or all of a Will, codicil, or other testamentary instrument, either while the person who made the Will is alive or after their death, and whether the document relates to real estate, personal property, or both, for fraudulent purposes, shall be liable to imprisonment for seven years.
Section 136: Proviso to Sections 134 and 135
No individual shall be found guilty under section 134 or section 135 for any action if, prior to being charged with the offence, they disclosed such action under oath, as required by law, in a proceeding initiated in good faith by an affected party, or under compulsory examination in a bankruptcy or insolvency matter, or in the liquidation of a corporation.
Section 137: Civil Remedies Not Affected by Conviction
Section 134 or section 135, nor any legal proceedings, convictions, or judgments resulting from them, shall impede any legal or equitable remedy available to an aggrieved party if this Act had not been enacted.
Additionally, evidence of a person’s conviction under either of these sections shall not be admissible in any action or lawsuit against that person.
Section 138: Stealing, Destroying Etc Records of Any Court or Public Office
Anyone who steals, takes from its place of deposit, or intentionally or recklessly damages, cancels, obliterates, injures, or destroys any part of a record, document, or writing belonging to a court, or related to any civil or criminal matter pending or concluded in a court, or related to the business of any office or employment under the government, and located in a public office, shall be liable to imprisonment for seven years.
Section 139: Stealing etc Metal, Glass, Wood Etc Fixed to House or Land
Anyone who steals, or intentionally damages with the intent to steal, any glass, woodwork, metal, utensil, fixture, or any other item fixed in or to a building, or any metal fixed in private land or used as a fence, or located in a public area, square, street, or any place dedicated to public use or ornament, or in a burial ground, shall be punished as if they had committed larceny.
Section 140: Stealing etc Trees etc in Pleasure-grounds etc
Anyone who:
- steals, destroys, or damages with the intent to steal, any tree, sapling, shrub, plant, or underwood growing in a park, pleasure-ground, garden, orchard, avenue, or on any ground belonging to a dwelling-house, where the value of the stolen item or the amount of damage exceeds two dollars, or
- steals, destroys, or damages with the intent to steal any tree, sapling, shrub, plant, or underwood growing elsewhere than in the locations mentioned above, where the value of the stolen item or the amount of damage exceeds ten dollars,
shall face punishment as if they had committed larceny.
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