Stouthrief is a crime under Scottish common law whose name combines the older Scots words for theft and for reiving or robbery. It consists of the use or threat of violence against a householder who resists during a housebreaking, and is charged in addition to any associated robbery. Though rarely prosecuted, stouthrief remains an active charge in Scotland, with recorded prosecutions as recently as 2011, 2015, 2021, 2022 and 2024, and is distinguished from the older common law offense of hamesucken, which involves breaking into a home with the prior intent to assault the occupant.
Facts
Classification Code Elements of OffenseUse or threat of violence against a householder who defends themselves during a housebreaking; charged in addition to any associated robbery 1 Jurisdiction VariationScotland: a Scottish crime 1 Classification
Offense GradeSerious or Indictable Offense 1 Connections
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Sources
1. Stouthrief, Wikipedia
Opening definition, elements
use or threat of violence against a householder who defends themselves during a housebreaking
Passage on stouthrief and hamesucken as common law crimes
Both are crimes at common law
Opening definition, jurisdictional label
the Scottish crime of use or threat of violence against a householder who defends themselves
In Group: Armed Robbery of Banks, Trains, Mail and Ships, Lead sentence
Stouthrief or stouthreif (Scots: stouth 'theft' + rief 'reiving, robbery') is the Scottish crime of use or threat of violence against a householder who defends themselves during a housebreaking; it is additional to any associated robbery.
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