Part 4

Closure of premises

General

Offences
37
1
If without reasonable excuse a person remains on or enters premises—
a
in contravention of a closure notice; or
b
in respect of which a closure order has effect,
the person shall be guilty of an offence.
2
If a person obstructs an authorised person acting in pursuance of section 31(1) the person shall be guilty of an offence.
3
In subsection (2), “authorised person” has the meaning given by section 31(4).
4
A person guilty of an offence under subsection (1) or (2) (a “relevant offence”) shall be liable on summary conviction—
a
where the person has not, within the relevant period, been convicted of a previous offence under the same subsection—
i
to a fine not exceeding level 4 on the standard scale; or
ii
to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 months,
or to both;
b
where the person has, within the relevant period, been convicted of a previous offence under the same subsection—
i
to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum; or
ii
to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 9 months,
or to both.
5
In subsection (4), “relevant period” means the period of 2 years ending with the day on which the relevant offence was committed.