(1)A person who—
(a)knowingly makes, in a relevant document, an entry or statement which is false in a material particular; or
(b)with intent to deceive, makes use of any such entry or statement knowing it to be false,
shall be guilty of an offence.
(2)For the purposes of subsection (1) above, a “relevant document”—
(a)is—
(i)an application under this Act;
(ii)a document accompanying any such application; or
(iii)any other document required or authorised to be granted, prepared, sent or given for any of the purposes of this Act; but
(b)does not include—
(i)a nomination of a named person in accordance with section 250(2) of this Act;
(ii)a declaration made in accordance with section 253(2) of this Act; and
(iii)an advance statement.
(3)A person guilty of an offence under this section shall be liable—
(a)on summary conviction, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum or to both;
(b)on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 2 years or to a fine or to both.