The doctrine of recent possession in criminal matters.

The doctrine of recent possession is applicable when an accused individual is discovered in possession of recently stolen property and fails to provide a plausible explanation for that possession. For this doctrine to serve as a basis for conviction, the following elements must be established:

(i) The property was found in the possession of the accused,

(ii) It is conclusively proven that the property belongs to the complainant,

(iii) The property was recently stolen from the complainant, and

(iv) The stolen property is the specific subject of the charge against the accused.

This doctrine allows for a presumption of guilt based on unexplained possession of recently stolen property, even if there is no direct evidence linking the accused to the commission of a more serious offense. However, the doctrine does not apply if the accused provides an explanation that could reasonably be true.