Pitchchei and Another v. Collector of Customs – sllr 1984 volume 1 page 026

In the case between Pitchchei and Another (Plaintiffs) and the Collector of Customs (Defendant), the court addressed whether mere preparatory acts constitute an attempt to commit the crime of exporting restricted goods. It was held that a criminal attempt requires both a physical act sufficiently proximate to the commission of the offence and a fixed, irrevocable intention to complete the crime. The principle was reaffirmed that preparatory steps alone do not fulfill the legal threshold for an attempt; an overt act constituting a direct movement towards the commission of the offence is necessary. Reliance was placed on authorities such as The D.P.P. v. Stonehouse and Regina v. Engleton. This decision clarifies that convictions for attempts should rest on evidence of actions immediately con