Protection of Badgers Act 1992

12 Penalties and forfeiture. E+W+S

(1) A person guilty of an offence under [F1 section 1(1) or (3), [F2 2 or 3 above] [F2 2(1)(d), 3(1)(a) to (c) or (e) above or under section 3(2) above] [F1 a provision mentioned in subsection (1ZA) below] (in relation to an act made unlawful by section 3(1)(a) to (c) or (e) above)] is liable on summary conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding [F3 six] [F3 twelve] months or a fine not exceeding [F4 level 5 on the standard scale] [F4 £40,000] or both; and a person guilty of an offence under section [F5 4,] 5 [F6 (1) or (2)] or 10(8) above or 13(7) below is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding [F7 that level] [F7 level 5 on the standard scale].

[F8 (1ZA) The provisions referred to in subsection (1) above are—

(a) section 2(1)(d) above or section 2(3) above (in relation to an act made unlawful by section 2(1)(d) above);] F9 ...

F9 (b) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F10 (1A) A person guilty of an offence under [F11 a provision mentioned in subsection (1B) below] is liable—

(a) on summary conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding [F12 12] months or a fine not exceeding [F13 the statutory maximum] or both,

(b) on conviction on indictment to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years or to a fine or both.]

[F14 (1B) The provisions referred in subsection (1A) above are—

(a) [F15 section 1(3) and (6) (in relation to an act made unlawful by section 1(3)),]

F16 (b) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F16 (c) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(d) section 4(1) and (2) above.]

[F17 (1C) A person guilty of an offence under a provision mentioned in subsection (1D) is liable—

(a) on summary conviction, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or a fine not exceeding £40,000 or both,

(b) on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 5 years or to a fine or both.

(1D) The provisions referred to in subsection (1C) are—

(a) section 1(1) and (6) (in relation to an act made unlawful by section 1(1)),

(b) section 2(1)(a) to (c) and (3) (in relation to an act made unlawful by section 2(1)(a) to (c)),

(c) section 3.]

(2) Where an offence was committed in respect of more than one badger the maximum fine which may be imposed under subsection (1) [F18 , (1A)(a) or (1C)(a)] above shall be determined as if the person convicted had been convicted of a separate offence in respect of each badger.

(3) A person guilty of an offence under section 1(5) above is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale.

(4) The court by which a person is convicted of an offence under this Act shall order the forfeiture of any badger or badger skin in respect of which the offence was committed and may, if they think fit, order the forfeiture of any weapon or article in respect of or by means of which the offence was committed.

Textual Amendments

F1 Words in s. 12(1) substituted (S.) (29.6.2011) by Wildlife and Natural Environment (Scotland) Act 2011 (asp 6), ss. 33(9)(a)(i), 43(1) (with s. 41(1)); S.S.I. 2011/279, art. 2(1)(m)

F2 Words in s. 12(1) substituted (S.) (1.10.2004) by Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act 2004 (asp 6), s. 59(2), Sch. 6 para. 26(9)(a)(i); S.S.I. 2004/407, art. 2(b)

F3 Word in s. 12(1) substituted (S.) (30.11.2020) by Animals and Wildlife (Penalties, Protections and Powers) (Scotland) Act 2020 (asp 14), ss. 8(2)(a)(i), 22(2); S.S.I. 2020/379, reg. 2(1), sch. (with reg. 3)

F4 Sum in S. 12(1) substituted (S.) (30.11.2020) by Animals and Wildlife (Penalties, Protections and Powers) (Scotland) Act 2020 (asp 14), ss. 8(2)(a)(ii), 22(2); S.S.I. 2020/379, reg. 2(1), sch. (with reg. 3)

F5 Word in s. 12(1) repealed (S.) (1.10.2004) by Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act 2004 (asp 6), s. 59(2), Sch. 6 para. 26(9)(a)(ii); S.S.I. 2004/407, art. 2(b)

F6 Words in s. 12(1) inserted (S.) (29.6.2011) by Wildlife and Natural Environment (Scotland) Act 2011 (asp 6), ss. 33(9)(a)(ii), 43(1) (with s. 41(1)); S.S.I. 2011/279, art. 2(1)(m)

F7 Words in s. 12(1) substituted (S.) (30.11.2020) by Animals and Wildlife (Penalties, Protections and Powers) (Scotland) Act 2020 (asp 14), ss. 8(2)(a)(iii), 22(2); S.S.I. 2020/379, reg. 2(1), sch. (with reg. 3)

F8 S. 12(1ZA) inserted (S.) (29.6.2011) by Wildlife and Natural Environment (Scotland) Act 2011 (asp 6), ss. 33(9)(b) , 43(1) (with s. 41(1)); S.S.I. 2011/279, art. 2(1)(m)

F9 S. 12(1ZA)(b) and preceding word repealed (S.) (30.11.2020) by Animals and Wildlife (Penalties, Protections and Powers) (Scotland) Act 2020 (asp 14), ss. 8(2)(b), 22(2); S.S.I. 2020/379, reg. 2(1), sch. (with reg. 3)

F10 S. 12(1A) inserted (S.) (1.10.2004) by Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act 2004 (asp 6), s. 59(2), Sch. 6 para. 26(9)(b); S.S.I. 2004/407, art. 2(b)

F11 Words in s. 12(1A) substituted (S.) (29.6.2011) by Wildlife and Natural Environment (Scotland) Act 2011 (asp 6), ss. 33(9)(c)(i) , 43(1) (with s. 41(1)); S.S.I. 2011/279, art. 2(1)(m)

F12 Word in s. 12(1A)(a) substituted (S.) (29.6.2011) by Wildlife and Natural Environment (Scotland) Act 2011 (asp 6), s. 33(9)(c)(ii) (A) 43(1) (with s. 41(1)); S.S.I. 2011/279, art. 2(1)(m)

F13 Words in s. 12(1A)(a) substituted (S.) (29.6.2011) by Wildlife and Natural Environment (Scotland) Act 2011 (asp 6), s. 33(9)(c)(ii) (B) 43(1) (with s. 41(1)); S.S.I. 2011/279, art. 2(1)(m)

F14 S. 12(1B) inserted (S.) (29.6.2011) by Wildlife and Natural Environment (Scotland) Act 2011 (asp 6), ss. 33(9)(d), 43(1) (with s. 41(1)); S.S.I. 2011/279, art. 2(1)(m)

F15 S. 12(1B)(a) substituted (S.) (30.11.2020) by Animals and Wildlife (Penalties, Protections and Powers) (Scotland) Act 2020 (asp 14), ss. 8(2)(c)(i), 22(2); S.S.I. 2020/379, reg. 2(1), sch. (with reg. 3)

F16 S. 12(1B)(b)(c) repealed (S.) (30.11.2020) by Animals and Wildlife (Penalties, Protections and Powers) (Scotland) Act 2020 (asp 14), ss. 8(2)(c)(ii), 22(2); S.S.I. 2020/379, reg. 2(1), sch. (with reg. 3)

F17 S. 12(1C)(1D) inserted (S.) (30.11.2020) by Animals and Wildlife (Penalties, Protections and Powers) (Scotland) Act 2020 (asp 14), ss. 8(2)(d), 22(2); S.S.I. 2020/379, reg. 2(1), sch. (with reg. 3)

F18 Words in s. 12(2) substituted (S.) (30.11.2020) by Animals and Wildlife (Penalties, Protections and Powers) (Scotland) Act 2020 (asp 14), ss. 8(2)(e), 22(2); S.S.I. 2020/379, reg. 2(1), sch. (with reg. 3)