Sexual Offences Act 1956

Felonies and attempts at felonies

OffenceMode of prosecutionPunishmentProvisions as to alternative verdicts etc.
1. (a) Rape (section one)On indictment, not triable at quarter sessions.Life

The jury may find the accused guilty—

(i)

of procurement of a woman by threats (section two); or

(ii)

of procurement of a woman by false pretences (section three); or

(iii)

of administering drugs to obtain or facilitate intercourse (section four); or

(iv)

of intercourse with a girl under thirteen (section five); or

(v)

of intercourse with a girl between thirteen and sixteen (section six); or

(vi)

of intercourse with an idiot or imbecile (section seven); or

(vii)

of intercourse with a defective (section eight); or

(viii)

of incest (section ten); or

(ix)

of indecent assault on a woman (section fourteen).

(b) An attempt to commit this offence.On indictmentSeven years—
2. (a) Intercourse with girl under thirteen (section five).On indictment, not triable at quarter sessions.LifeThe jury may find the accused guilty of any of the offences mentioned in paragraphs (i), (ii), (iii), (v), (vi), and (ix) of the foregoing entry in this column.
(b) An attempt to commit this offence.On indictment, not triable at quarter sessions.Two years—
3. (a) Buggery (section twelve)On indictment, not triable at quarter sessions.Life—
(b) An attempt to commit this offence.On indictmentTen years—
4. Abduction of woman by force or for the sake of her property (section seventeen).On indictment, not triable at quarter sessions.Fourteen years—
5. Fraudulent abduction of heiress from parent or guardian (section eighteen).On indictment, not triable at quarter sessions.Fourteen year—
6. Permitting girl under thirteen to use premises for intercourse (section twenty-five).On indictment, not triable at quarter sessions.LifeThe jury may find the accused guilty of an offence under section three of the Children and Young Persons Act, 1933.