What is a Break and Enter offence?
Break and enter offences involve unlawfully gaining entry into a property, such as a dwelling house, with the intent to commit an indictable offence such as larceny, or assault. These offences are taken seriously and can result in significant penalties.
At Kingston Fox Lawyers, we handle a wide range of break and enter offences, including:
- Break and Enter with Intent to Commit an Indictable Offence
- Break out of a Dwelling House After Committing an Indictable Offence
- Break, Enter and Assault with Intent to Murder
- Enter a Dwelling House with Intent to Commit a Serious Indictable Offence
- Break, Enter and Commit Serious Indictable Offence
- Convicted Offender Armed with Intent Commit an Indictable Offence
There are also aggravated and specially aggravated forms of some of the above offences which have greater maximum penalties.
If you are facing break and enter charges, it’s important to seek legal advice so that you understand all options available to you.

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Frequently Asked Questions
Break and enter offences in NSW involve unlawfully gaining entry into a property, typically with the intent to commit a serious indictable offence such as larceny or assault occasioning grievous bodily harm. These offences are outlined in the Crimes Act 1900 and can include aggravated offences, resulting in more serious penalties, including prison sentences.
The elements of break and enter in NSW include:
- Breaking: Forcibly gaining access into premises.
- Entering: Unlawfully entering the premises.
- Intent: Having the intention to commit a serious indictable offence such as stealing or assault.
- Stealing stock or goods from an employer.
- Embezzling funds by transferring money from a business account to a personal account.
- Taking cash directly from the register or till.
The prosecution must also prove that the accused was employed by the victim at the time of the alleged theft.
The punishment for breaking and entering in Australia varies depending on the jurisdiction and the specifics of the offence. In NSW, penalties can include imprisonment for up to 25 years if the offence involves aggravating factors such as the use of a weapon or causing injury.
In NSW, serious break and enter cases are often prosecuted in the District Court.
- Fines
- Conditional Release Orders and Community Correction Orders including community service
- Intensive Correction Orders.
Courts take into consideration a wide variety of factors in sentencing so it is important to get quality legal advice to ensure that you are in the best possible position.
If you are charged with break and enter, seek legal advice from an experienced criminal defence lawyer so that you understand the options available to you.
Break-and-enter charges can sometimes be reduced or dismissed based on the evidence and circumstances of the case. An experienced criminal defence lawyer can negotiate with prosecutors to seek a favourable outcome.