The concept of 'taking, gain, obtaining and appropriation' in crimes against property

Abstract

Theft - Malta : The criminal code deals with theft in sections 274 to 301 and provides for two distinct types of theft : simple theft and aggravated theft. Section 297 on 'simple theft' states that : "theft when not accompanied with any of the aggravating circumstances specified in section 274 is simple theft." In none of its sections does the criminal code give a definition of theft. In the absence of such a definition in the criminal code, our courts have invariably adopted the definition drafted by Carrara. Case-law : In Rex V. Antonio Pisani the court of criminal appeal enunciated that : "... illi ghalkemm il-ligi taghna man taghtix definizzjoni tas-serq, huwa pacifiku dottrinalment illi s-serq huwa l-kontrettazzjoni dolnza tal-haga ta' hadd iehor, maghmula ..." Carrara's definition has been expressly quoted in many judgements. Harding J. enunciated in Police V. Scicluna et that "... ghalkemm in-nozzjoni tas-serq tista' prima facie tidher facili u ta' intelligenzza volgari madankollu r-reat ta' serq dejjem ta' lok ghal kistjonijiet frequenti u vivament dibattuti fid-dritt kriminali. Il-gurisprudenza Maltija generalment adottat id-definizzjoni li ta' l-Carrara tar-reat ta' serq, jigifieri: 'la contrattazione dolosa della cosa altrui, fatta 'invito domino' con animo di farne lucro" ...