Section 151: Interference with vehicle

151. Interference with vehicle (1) Any person who, without the knowledge or consent of the owner of a vehicle, other than a motor vehicle— (a) rides, drives or takes away the vehicle; or (b) in any way interferes with the vehicle or part of it, shall commit an offence. (2) — (3) Any person, whether employed by the owner or not, who takes and drives away a motor vehicle without the consent of its owner or other lawful authority, shall commit an offence and shall, on conviction, be liable to a fine not exceeding 1,000 rupees and to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months. [Issue 1] R27 – 122 Revised Laws of Mauritius (4) The offender shall not commit an offence under subsection (1) or (3) if he satisfies the Court that he acted in the reasonable belief that— (a) he had lawful authority; or (b) the owner would, in the circumstances of the case, have given his consent if he had been asked for it. (5) Where an offender is prosecuted for stealing a motor vehicle and the Court finds that— (a) he was not guilty of stealing the motor vehicle; but (b) he was guilty of an offence under this section, the Court may find him guilty and convict him for that offence. (6) A police officer may, without a warrant, arrest a person whom he reasonably suspects of having committed an offence under this section. (7) In addition to any penalty specified in this section, the Court may order that the convicted person shall pay to the owner of the motor vehicle such sum as may represent fair compensation for any damage sustained by him. [S. 151 amended by s. 13 (a) of Act 9 of 2003 w.e.f. 1 September 2003.]