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Going equipped for theft or burglary

s.25 Theft Act 1968 · Triable either way

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Sentencing framework

The guideline for 'Going equipped for theft or burglary' provides a framework for sentencing that considers both culpability and harm. Offenders are categorized by culpability levels and the harm caused, leading to a starting point for sentencing. The court can then adjust the sentence based on aggravating and mitigating factors before determining the final sentence within the defined offence range.

Maximum sentence

3 years’ custody

Court

Triable either way

Starting point

1 year’s custody

Offence range

Discharge – 18 months’ custody

Aggravating factors

  • ·Previous convictions
  • ·Offence committed whilst on bail
  • ·Attempts to conceal/dispose of evidence
  • ·Established evidence of community/wider impact
  • ·Failure to comply with current court orders
  • ·Offence committed on licence or post sentence supervision

Mitigating factors

  • ·No previous convictions or no relevant/recent convictions
  • ·Positive character and/or exemplary conduct
  • ·Serious medical condition requiring urgent, intensive or long-term treatment
  • ·Age and/or lack of maturity
  • ·Mental disorder or learning disability
  • ·Sole or primary carer for dependent relatives
  • ·Determination and/or demonstration of steps having been taken to address addiction
  • ·Pregnancy, childbirth and post-natal care
  • ·Difficult and/or deprived background or personal circumstances
  • ·Prospects of or in work, training or education

Sentencing range explorer

Select the culpability level and harm category to see the guideline's starting point and category range. This is an educational illustration of the published guideline — not a sentence calculation, and not legal advice. Courts apply the full step-by-step process, aggravating and mitigating factors, and the totality principle.

Culpability

Harm

Select a culpability level and a harm category above.

The sentencing process, step by step

  1. Step 1 — Determining the offence category
  2. Step 2 — Starting point and category range
  3. Step 3 — Consider any factors which indicate a reduction, such as assistance to the prosecution
  4. Step 4 — Reduction for guilty pleas
  5. Step 5 — Totality principle
  6. Step 6 — Confiscation, compensation and ancillary orders
  7. Step 7 — Reasons
  8. Step 8 — Consideration for time spent on bail (tagged curfew)

Guideline notes

  • The court should determine the appropriate level of fine in accordance with this guideline and section 125 of the Sentencing Code, which requires that the fine must reflect the seriousness of the offence.

Always read the full guideline

This is a one-page summary. For any live case, sentencing exercise, or legal advice the authoritative source is the Sentencing Council's own definitive guideline — including the category bands, step-by-step sentencing approach, and all statutory factors not captured here.

Open the full guideline on sentencingcouncil.org.uk

Source: Sentencing Council · Crown copyright, licensed under Open Government Licence v3.0. Summary fetched 2026-06-28. Not legal advice — see a regulated adviser for any live case.