London Hackney Carriage Act 1831

XXV Forgery, &c. of the Stamp Office Plate, a Misdemeanor.

And be it enacted, That if any Person shall forge or counterfeit, or shall cause or procure to be forged, counterfeited, or resembled, the Stamp Office Plate by this Act directed to be provided for the Purpose of being fixed upon every Hackney Carriage, or if any Person shall wilfully fix or place, or shall cause or permit or suffer to be fixed or placed, upon any Hackney Carriage, or other Carriage, any such forged or counterfeited Plate as aforesaid, or if any Person shall sell or expose to Sale or utter any such forged or counterfeited Plate, or if any Person shall knowingly and without lawful Excuse (the Proof whereof shall lie on the Person accused) have or be possessed of any such forged or counterfeited Plate, knowing such Plate to be forged or counterfeited, every Person so offending, and every Person knowingly and wilfully aiding, abetting, or assisting any Person in committing any such Offence as aforesaid, shall be adjudged guilty of a Misdemeanor, and, being thereof convicted, shall be liable to be punished by Fine or Imprisonment, or by both, such Imprisonment to be in the Common Gaol or House of Correction, and either with or without hard Labour, as the Court shall think fit; and it shall be lawful for any Officer of Stamp Duties, or for any Constable or Police Officer, to seize and take away any such Plate, in order that the same may be produced in Evidence against such Offender, or be disposed of as the Commissioners of Stamps shall think proper.