Sexual Offences Act 2003

Sexual Offences Act 2003

2003 CHAPTER 42

Commentary on Sections

Part 2: Notification and Orders

Section 89: Young offenders: parental directions

179. Section 89 provides that, in the case of a young offender, the court may direct a person with parental responsibility for the offender to comply with the notification requirements in place of the offender until either the offender attains the relevant age (18 in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and where the offender is dealt with by a service court; 16 in Scotland) or until an earlier date specified by the court. The court may make the direction at the time it deals with the offender in respect of an offence or finding which triggers the notification requirements, or when it makes an order which imposes those requirements. Subsections (4) and (5) also allow the police to apply to the court for a parental direction to be made. This will cover cases where the court, for whatever reason, did not make a direction at the stage referred to above but an order now seems appropriate. It will also cover cases where the young offender has received a reprimand or final warning for a Schedule 3 offence.