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Part VIIIMiscellaneous and supplementary

Interpretation

161Meaning of “associated offence”, “sexual offence”, “violent offence” and “protecting the public from serious harm”

(1)For the purposes of this Act, an offence is associated with another if—

(a)the offender is convicted of it in the proceedings in which he is convicted of the other offence, or (although convicted of it in earlier proceedings) is sentenced for it at the same time as he is sentenced for that offence; or

(b)the offender admits the commission of it in the proceedings in which he is sentenced for the other offence and requests the court to take it into consideration in sentencing him for that offence.

(2)In this Act, “sexual offence” means any of the following—

(a)an offence under the [1956 c. 69.] Sexual Offences Act 1956, other than an offence under section 30, 31 or 33 to 36 of that Act;

(b)an offence under section 128 of the [1959 c. 72.] Mental Health Act 1959;

(c)an offence under the [1960 c. 33.] Indecency with Children Act 1960;

(d)an offence under section 9 of the Theft Act 1968 of burglary with intent to commit rape;

(e)an offence under section 54 of the [1977 c. 45.] Criminal Law Act 1977;

(f)an offence under the [1978 c. 37.] Protection of Children Act 1978;

(g)an offence under section 1 of the Criminal Law Act 1977 of conspiracy to commit any of the offences in paragraphs (a) to (f) above;

(h)an offence under section 1 of the [1981 c. 47.] Criminal Attempts Act 1981 of attempting to commit any of those offences;

(i)an offence of inciting another to commit any of those offences.

(3)In this Act, “violent offence” means an offence which leads, or is intended or likely to lead, to a person’s death or to physical injury to a person, and includes an offence which is required to be charged as arson (whether or not it would otherwise fall within this definition).

(4)In this Act any reference, in relation to an offender convicted of a violent or sexual offence, to protecting the public from serious harm from him shall be construed as a reference to protecting members of the public from death or serious personal injury, whether physical or psychological, occasioned by further such offences committed by him.

162Meaning of “pre-sentence report”

(1)In this Act “pre-sentence report” means a report in writing which—

(a)with a view to assisting the court in determining the most suitable method of dealing with an offender, is made or submitted by an appropriate officer; and

(b)contains information as to such matters, presented in such manner, as may be prescribed by rules made by the Secretary of State.

(2)In subsection (1) above “an appropriate officer” means—

(a)where the offender is aged 18 or over, a probation officer or a social worker of a local authority social services department;

(b)where the offender is aged under 18, a probation officer, a social worker of a local authority social services department or a member of a youth offending team.

163General definitions

In this Act, except where the contrary intention appears—

164Further interpretive provisions

(1)For the purposes of any provision of this Act which requires the determination of the age of a person by the court or the Secretary of State, his age shall be deemed to be that which it appears to the court or (as the case may be) the Secretary of State to be after considering any available evidence.

(2)Any reference in this Act to an offence punishable with imprisonment shall be construed without regard to any prohibition or restriction imposed by or under this or any Act on the imprisonment of young offenders.

(3)For the purposes of this Act, a sentence falls to be imposed under section 109(2), 110(2) or 111(2) above if it is required by that provision and the court is not of the opinion there mentioned.