Crossword Genius

Time and motive required for crime (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

treason

'for crime' is the definition.
(treason is a kind of crime)

'time and motive' is the wordplay.
'time' becomes 't' (abbreviation).
'and' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'motive' becomes 'reason' (reason is a kind of motive).
't'+'reason'='TREASON'

'required' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for treason that I've seen before include "Senator (anag)" , "Disloyalty (to one's country)" , "Act of betrayal of a government" , "LEse-majestE" , "Criminal attempt to overthrow a government" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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