Under Burglary s.9(1)(a), which action completes the offence?

• A. Steals or inflicts grievous bodily harm on person therein or attempts either
• B. Having entered as a trespasser a building/part of building
• C. Date and location
• D. None of the above

Answer: (A)

The offence under s9(1)(a) burglary is completed when, after entering a building as a trespasser, the offender either steals in the building, or attempts to steal anything in it, or inflicts grievous bodily harm on any person there (or attempts to do so). So, the completing action is the act inside the building: stealing or GBH (or attempting either). Merely entering the building as a trespasser is not enough on its own—the trespassory entry is the first element, and the theft or GBH inside completes the offence. That’s why the option describing the stealing or GBH inside (or the attempt) is the correct one.