N.I.Possession of housebreaking implements, etc.
24Going equipped for stealing, etc.N.I.
(1)A person shall be guilty of an offence if, when not at his place of abode, he has with him any article for use in the course of, or in connection with, any [F1burglary or theft] .
(2)A person guilty of an offence under this section shall, on conviction on indictment, be liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years.
(3)Where a person is charged with an offence under this section, proof that he had with him any article made or adapted for use in committing a [F1burglary or theft] shall be evidence that he had it with him for such use.
(4)F2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(5)For purposes of this section, an offence under section 12(2) of taking a conveyance and an offence under [F3 Article 172 of the Road Traffic (Northern Ireland) Order 1981 [1981 NI 1] ] of taking a motor vehicle shall be treated as theft F4. . . .
F1Words in s. 24(1)(3) substituted (15.1.2007) by Fraud Act 2006 (c. 35), ss. 14(1), 15(1)(4), Sch. 1 para. 13(a); S.I. 2006/3200, art. 2
F2S. 24(4) repealed (1.3.2007) by Police and Criminal Evidence (Amendment) (Northern Ireland) Order 2007 (S.I. 2007/288 (N.I. 2)), arts. 1(2), 15(4), 41(2), Sch. 1 para. 15, Sch. 2
F4Words. in s. 24(5) repealed (15.1.2007) by Fraud Act 2006 (c. 35), ss. 14(1), 15(1)(4), Sch. 1 para. 13(b), Sch. 3; S.I. 2006/3200, art. 2