Is a non dwelling burglary under s91b theft act 1968 strict liability?
<p>Section 9(1)(b) of the theft act 1968 specifies an offence of entering as a trespasser and then taking or damaging things from a building. Does conviction for this offence require a demonstration of <em>mens rea</em>? Or is it a strict liability thing, where the mere acts are themselves enough?</p>

<h2>Mes rea is inherent in the <a href="https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1968/60/section/1" rel="nofollow noreferrer">definition</a> of theft</h2>
<blockquote>
<p>A person is guilty of theft if he <strong>dishonestly</strong> appropriates property belonging to another with the intention of permanently depriving the other of it; and “thief” and “steal” shall be construed accordingly.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Dishonestly is a state of mind that the prosecution must prove.</p>

criminal-law england-and-wales theft burglary