Larceny Act 1916

17 Larceny and embezzlement by clerks or servants

Every person who—

(1) being a clerk or servant or person employed in the capacity of a clerk or servant—

(a) steals any chattel, money or valuable security belonging to or in the possession or power of his master or employer ; or

(b) fraudulently embezzles the whole or any part of any chattel, money or valuable security delivered to or received or taken into possession by him for or in the name or on the account of his master or employer :

(2) being employed in the public service of His Majesty or in the police of any place whatsoever—

(a) steals any chattel, money, or valuable security belonging to or in the possession of His Majesty or entrusted to or received or taken into possession by such person by virtue of his. employment; or

(b) embezzles or in any manner fraudulently applies or disposes of for any purpose whatsoever except for the public service any chattel, money or valuable security entrusted to or received or taken into possession by him by virtue of his employment:

(3) being appointed to any office or service by or under a local marine board—

(a) fraudulently applies or disposes of any chattel, money or valuable security received by him (whilst employed in such office or service) for or on account of any local marine board or for or on account of any other public board or department, for his own use or any use or purpose other than that for which the same was. paid, entrusted to, or received by him ; or

(b) fraudulently withholds, retains, or keeps back the same, or any part thereof, contrary to any lawful directions or instructions which he is required to obey in relation to his office or service aforesaid;

shall be guilty of felony and on conviction thereof liable to penal servitude for any term not exceeding fourteen years, and in the case of a clerk or servant or person employed for the purpose or in the capacity of a clerk or servant, if a male under the age of sixteen years, to be once privately whipped in addition to any other punishment to which he may by law be liable.