Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999 (c. 23)

Part II Giving of evidence or information for purposes of criminal proceedings

Chapter V Competence of witnesses and capacity to be sworn

Giving of sworn or unsworn evidence

57 Penalty for giving false unsworn evidence

(1) This section applies where a person gives unsworn evidence in criminal proceedings in pursuance of section 56(2) or (3).

(2) If such a person wilfully gives false evidence in such circumstances that, had the evidence been given on oath, he would have been guilty of perjury, he shall be guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to—

(a) imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months, or

(b) a fine not exceeding £1,000,

or both.

(3) In relation to a person under the age of 14, subsection (2) shall have effect as if for the words following “on summary conviction” there were substituted “to a fine not exceeding £250”.