False statements relating to institutions which are not registered charities
This section has no associated Explanatory Notes
156.—(1) Where—
(a)a person solicits money or other property for the benefit of an institution in association with a representation that the institution is a registered charity, and
(b)the institution is not such a charity,
that person is guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale.
(2) In any proceedings for an offence under subsection (1), it shall be a defence for the accused to prove that the accused believed on reasonable grounds that the institution was a registered charity.
(3) In this section “registered charity” means a charity which is for the time being registered in the register of charities kept under section 16.