Crime and Disorder Act 1998

32[F1Racially or religiously aggravated] harassment etc.E+W

(1)A person is guilty of an offence under this section if he commits—

(a)an offence under section 2 [F2or 2A] of the M1Protection from Harassment Act 1997 ([F3offences of harassment and stalking]); or

(b)an offence under section 4 [F4or 4A] of that Act (putting people in fear of violence [F5and stalking involving fear of violence or serious alarm or distress]),

which is [F6racially or religiously aggravated] for the purposes of this section.

F7(2). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(3)A person guilty of an offence falling within subsection (1)(a) above shall be liable—

(a)on summary conviction, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months or to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum, or to both;

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

(4)A person guilty of an offence falling within subsection (1)(b) above shall be liable—

(a)on summary conviction, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months or to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum, or to both;

(b)on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding [F8 14 years ] or to a fine, or to both.

(5)If, on the trial on indictment of a person charged with an offence falling within subsection (1)(a) above, the jury find him not guilty of the offence charged, they may find him guilty of [F9either basic offence] mentioned in that provision.

(6)If, on the trial on indictment of a person charged with an offence falling within subsection (1)(b) above, the jury find him not guilty of the offence charged, they may find him guilty of an offence falling within subsection (1)(a) above.

(7)F10. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F1Words in the sidenote to s. 32 substituted (14.12.2001) by 2001 c. 24, ss. 39(5)(a)(6)(d), 127(2) (with s. 42)

F6Words in s. 32(1) substituted (14.12.2001) by 2001 c. 24, ss. 39(5)(b)(6)(d), 127(2) (with s. 42)

F8Words in s. 32(4)(b) substituted (31.1.2017 for specified purposes, 3.4.2017 in so far as not already in force) by Policing and Crime Act 2017 (c. 3), ss. 175(2), 183(1)(5)(e) (with s. 175(3)); S.I. 2017/399, reg. 2, Sch. para. 35

F9Words in s. 32(5) substituted (25.11.2012) by Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 (c. 9), s. 120, Sch. 9 para. 144(3) (with s. 97); S.I. 2012/2075, art. 5(d)

Commencement Information

I1S. 32 wholly in force; S. 32 not in force at Royal Assent see s. 121. In force at 30.9.1998 by S.I. 1998/2327, art. 2(1) (subject to savings in arts. 5-8)

Marginal Citations