[1956] EACA 11

[1956] EACA 11

The court held that the appellant's conduct—trying to force open the window of a securely locked car containing a coat, acting furtively, moving away upon police arrival, and falsely denying involvement—constituted an overt act manifesting an intention to steal. These facts satisfied the statutory definition of...

Source-derived case information.

Citation
[1956] EACA 11
Parties
Appellant: Ismail Bin Farah; Respondent: The Queen
Court
East African Court of Appeal
Jurisdiction
Uganda
Case Number
Criminal Appeal No. 316 of 1956
Procedural Posture
Criminal Appeal / Appeal Dismissed
Outcome
appeal_dismissed
Judges
O'Connor CJ
Legal Topics
Attempt to Steal, Elements of Attempt, Penal Code Interpretation
Source Language
en
Criminal Law Attempt to Steal Elements of Attempt Penal Code Interpretation

Source-derived case record

Summary, issues, holding and outcome

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Parties

Ismail Bin Farah

Appellant

The Queen

Respondent

Procedural Posture

Criminal Appeal / Appeal Dismissed

  1. 1 Whether the appellant's actions constituted an attempt to steal under section 389 of the Penal Code.
  2. 2 Whether the evidence supported the necessary ingredients of attempt as defined by law.

Ratio Decidendi

The court held that the appellant's conduct—trying to force open the window of a securely locked car containing a coat, acting furtively, moving away upon police arrival, and falsely denying involvement—constituted an overt act manifesting an intention to steal. These facts satisfied the statutory definition of attempt under section 389 of the Penal Code. The Magistrate was justified in finding that the appellant had the specific purpose of stealing the coat, and the conviction was upheld.

Court Disposition

appeal_dismissed

Orders

  • Conviction and sentence of 18 months' imprisonment with hard labour upheld.