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Part 7SMiscellaneous and general

MiscellaneousS

49Establishment of purpose for the purposes of sections 5 to 9, 22 to 26 and 32 to 36S

(1)For the purposes of sections 5 to 9, 22 to 26 and 32 to 36, A's purpose was—

(a)obtaining sexual gratification, or

(b)humiliating, distressing or alarming B,

if in all the circumstances of the case it may reasonably be inferred A was doing the thing for the purpose in question.

(2)In applying subsection (1) to determine A's purpose, it is irrelevant whether or not B was in fact humiliated, distressed or alarmed by the thing done by A.

50Power to convict for offence other than that chargedS

(1)If, in a trial—

(a)on an indictment for an offence mentioned in the first column of schedule 3 the jury are not satisfied that the accused committed the offence charged but are satisfied that the accused committed the alternative offence (or as the case may be one of the alternative offences) mentioned in the third column, they may, or

(b)in summary proceedings for an offence mentioned in the first column of that schedule the court is not satisfied that the accused committed the offence charged but is satisfied that the accused committed the alternative offence (or as the case may be one of the alternative offences) mentioned in the third column, it may,

acquit the accused of the charge but find the accused guilty of the alternative offence in respect of which so satisfied (the accused then being liable to be punished accordingly).

(2)Where either of conditions 1 or 2 apply in a trial, the court or jury may acquit the accused of the charge but find the accused guilty of the alternative older child offence (the accused then being liable to be punished accordingly).

(3)Condition 1 is that—

(a)A is charged with an offence under sections 18 to 26, and

(b)but for a failure to establish beyond reasonable doubt that B had attained the age of 13 years at the relevant time, a court or jury would, by virtue of subsection (1), find that A committed an offence (“the alternative older child offence”) of—

(i)having intercourse with an older child,

(ii)engaging in penetrative sexual activity with or towards an older child,

(iii)engaging in sexual activity with or towards an older child,

(iv)causing an older child to participate in a sexual activity,

(v)causing an older child to be present during a sexual activity,

(vi)causing an older child to look at a sexual image,

(vii)communicating indecently with an older child,

(viii)causing an older child to see or hear an indecent communication,

(ix)sexual exposure to an older child,

(x)voyeurism towards an older child,

(xi)engaging while an older child in sexual conduct with or towards another older child,

(xii)engaging while an older child in consensual sexual conduct with another older child.

(4)Condition 2 is that—

(a)A is charged with an offence under section 28, 29 or 30, and

(b)but for a failure to establish beyond reasonable doubt that A had not attained the age of 16 years at the relevant time, a court or jury would, by virtue of subsection (1), find that A committed an offence (“the alternative older child offence”) of—

(i)engaging while an older child in sexual conduct with or towards another older child,

(ii)engaging while an older child in consensual sexual conduct with another older child.

(5)In this section, the “relevant time” is when the conduct to which the proceedings relate occurred.

(6)A reference in this section to an offence includes a reference to—

(a)an attempt to commit,

(b)incitement to commit,

(c)counselling or procuring the commission of, and

(d)involvement art and part in,

an offence.

51Exceptions to inciting or being involved art and part in offences under Part 4 or 5S

A person (“X”) is not guilty of inciting, or being involved art and part in, an offence under Part 4 or 5 if, as regards another person (“Y”), X acts—

(a)for the purpose of—

(i)protecting Y from sexually transmitted infection,

(ii)protecting the physical safety of Y,

(iii)preventing Y from becoming pregnant, or

(iv)promoting Y's emotional well-being by the giving of advice, and

(b)not for the purpose of—

(i)obtaining sexual gratification,

(ii)humiliating, distressing or alarming Y, or

(iii)causing or encouraging the activity constituting the offence or Y's participation in it.

52Common law offencesS

For all purposes not relating to offences committed before the coming into force of this section—

(a)the common law offences of—

(i)rape,

(ii)clandestine injury to women,

(iii)lewd, indecent or libidinous practice or behaviour, and

(iv)sodomy,

are abolished, and

(b)without prejudice to paragraph (a), in so far as the provisions of this Act regulate any conduct they replace any rule of law regulating that conduct.

Commencement Information

I1S. 52 in force at 16.12.2013 by S.S.I. 2013/341, art. 2(a)

53Continuity of law on sexual offencesS

(1)This section applies where, in any trial—

(a)the accused is charged in respect of the same conduct both with an offence under this Act (“the new offence”) and with an offence specified in subsection (2) (“the existing offence”),

(b)there is a failure to establish beyond reasonable doubt that—

(i)the time when the conduct took place was after the coming into force of the provision providing for the new offence, and

(ii)the time when the conduct took place was before the abolishment or replacement of or, as the case may be, the coming into force of the repeal of the enactment providing for, the existing offence, and

(c)the court (or, in the case of a trial of an indictment, the jury) is satisfied in every other respect that the accused committed the offences charged.

(2)The offences referred to in subsection (1)(a) are—

(a)rape (at common law),

(b)clandestine injury to women,

(c)lewd, indecent or libidinous practice or behaviour,

(d)any other common law offence which is replaced by an offence under this Act,

(e)an offence under section 3 of the Criminal Law (Consolidation) (Scotland) Act 1995 (c. 39) (intercourse of person in position of trust with child under 16),

(f)an offence under section 5(1), (2) or (3) (intercourse with girl under 16) or 6 (indecent behaviour towards girl between 12 and 16) of that Act,

(g)an offence under section 3 of the Sexual Offences (Amendment) Act 2000 (c. 44) (abuse of position of trust).

(3)Where this section applies, the accused may be found guilty—

(a)if the maximum penalty for the existing offence is less than the maximum penalty for the new offence, of the existing offence,

(b)in any other case, of the new offence.

(4)In subsection (3) the reference, in relation to an offence, to the maximum penalty is a reference to the maximum penalty by way of imprisonment or other detention that could be imposed on the accused on conviction of the offence in the proceedings in question.

(5)A reference in this section to an offence includes a reference to—

(a)an attempt to commit an offence,

(b)incitement to commit an offence,

(c)counselling or procuring the commission of an offence,

(d)involvement art and part in an offence, and

(e)an offence as modified by section 16A or 16B of the Criminal Law (Consolidation) (Scotland) Act 1995 (c. 39).

Commencement Information

I2S. 53 partly in force; s. 53 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 62; s. 53(1)(2)(e)-(g)(3)-(5) in force at 1.12.2010 by S.S.I. 2010/357, art. 2(a)

I3S. 53(2)(a)-(d) in force at 16.12.2013 by S.S.I. 2013/341, art. 2(b)

54[F1Incitement to commit certain sexual acts outside Scotland]S

(1)If a person does an act in Scotland which would amount to the offence of incitement to commit a listed offence but for the fact that what the person had in view (referred to in this section as “the relevant conduct”) is intended to occur in a country outside [F2Scotland] , then—

(a)the relevant conduct is to be treated as the listed offence, and

(b)the person accordingly commits the offence of incitement to commit the listed offence.

[F3(2)However—

(a)a person who is not a habitual resident of Scotland commits an offence by virtue of subsection (1) in respect of relevant conduct intended to occur elsewhere in the United Kingdom only if, and

(b)a person who is not a UK national commits an offence by virtue of subsection (1) in respect of relevant conduct intended to occur outside the United Kingdom only if,

the condition in subsection (2A) is met.

(2A)That condition is that the relevant conduct would also involve the commission of an offence under the law in force in the country where the whole or any part of it was intended to take place.]

(3)Conduct punishable under the law in force in the country is an offence under that law for the purposes of subsection [F4(2A)] however it is described in that law.

(4)The condition specified in subsection [F5(2A)] is to be taken as satisfied unless, not later than such time as may be prescribed by Act of Adjournal, the accused serves on the prosecutor a notice—

(a)stating that, on the facts as alleged with respect to the relevant conduct, the condition is not in the accused's opinion satisfied,

(b)setting out the grounds for the accused's opinion, and

(c)requiring the prosecutor to prove that the condition is satisfied.

(5)But the court, if it thinks fit, may permit the accused to require the prosecutor to prove that the condition is satisfied without the prior service of a notice under that subsection.

(6)In proceedings on indictment, the question whether the condition is satisfied is to be determined by the judge alone.

(7)Any act of incitement by means of a message (however communicated) is to be treated as done in Scotland if the message is sent or received in Scotland.

(8)In this section—

Textual Amendments

[F954AOffences committed outside ScotlandS

(1)If a person does an act elsewhere in the United Kingdom which would, if it had been done in Scotland, constitute a listed offence then the person commits that offence.

(2)However, a person who is not a habitual resident of Scotland commits an offence by virtue of subsection (1) only if the act would also constitute an offence under the law in force in the country where it took place.

(3)For the purposes of subsection (2), an act punishable under the law in force in the country is an offence under that law however it is described in that law.

(4)The condition specified in subsection (2) is to be taken to be satisfied unless, not later than such time as may be prescribed by Act of Adjournal, the accused serves on the prosecutor a notice—

(a)stating that, on the facts as alleged with respect to the act in question, the condition is not in the accused's opinion satisfied,

(b)setting out the grounds for the accused's opinion, and

(c)requiring the prosecutor to prove that the condition is satisfied.

(5)But the court, if it thinks fit, may permit the accused to require the prosecutor to prove that the condition is satisfied without the prior service of a notice under that subsection.

(6)In proceedings on indictment, the question whether the condition is satisfied is to be determined by the judge alone.

(7)A person may be prosecuted, tried and punished for any offence to which this section applies—

(a)in any sheriff court district in Scotland in which the person is apprehended or in custody, or

(b)in such sheriff court district as the Lord Advocate may determine,

as if the offence had been committed in that district; and the offence is, for all purposes incidental to or consequential on trial or punishment, to be deemed to have been committed in that district.

(8)In this section—

Textual Amendments

54BOffence committed by virtue of section 54A(1): limitations on prosecutionS

(1)Subject to section 54C, this section applies in relation to a listed offence committed by a person by virtue of section 54A(1).

(2)Prosecution in respect of the listed offence—

(a)is not competent if the person has been, or is being, prosecuted in respect of the act constituting the listed offence, in the country where the act took place, and

(b)is competent only if—

(i)before the prosecution is initiated, the prosecutor has consulted the relevant director of public prosecutions about the prosecution, and

(ii)the person is prosecuted, on the same indictment or complaint, in respect of an act in Scotland constituting a listed offence.

(3)For the purposes of subsection (2)(a), a person is not to be regarded as having been prosecuted in respect of the act constituting the listed offence, in the country where the act took place, if a prosecution in that country was withdrawn in order to enable the prosecution of the person in Scotland.

(4)For the purposes of subsection (2)(b)(i)––

(a)the prosecution is initiated when the indictment or complaint is served,

(b)the relevant director of public prosecutions is—

(i)in the case of an act which took place in England and Wales, the Director of Public Prosecutions (that is, the head of the Crown Prosecution Service),

(ii)in the case of an act which took place in Northern Ireland, the Director of Public Prosecutions for Northern Ireland.

(5)In this section, “listed offence” means an offence listed in Part 2 of schedule 4.

Textual Amendments

54CListed offence: limitations on prosecution if country not specifiedS

(1)The indictment or complaint in which a listed offence is charged need not contain information from which the country in the United Kingdom in which the act constituting the listed offence took place can be determined.

(2)If the indictment or complaint does not contain that information, prosecution in respect of the listed offence—

(a)is not competent if the person charged with the offence has been, or is being, prosecuted, in respect of the act constituting the listed offence elsewhere in the United Kingdom, and

(b)is competent only if the conditions in subsection (3) which are applicable in the case are met.

(3)Those conditions are—

(a)if it can be determined from the indictment or complaint that the act constituting the offence took place—

(i)either in Scotland or in England and Wales, or

(ii)either in Scotland or in Northern Ireland,

that before the indictment or complaint was served, the prosecutor consulted the relevant director of public prosecutions about the prosecution,

(b)if it can be determined from the indictment or complaint that the act constituting the offence took place either in England and Wales or in Northern Ireland but not in Scotland, that—

(i)before the indictment or complaint was served, the prosecutor consulted both directors of public prosecutions about the prosecution, and

(ii)the person is prosecuted, on the same indictment or complaint, in respect of an act in Scotland constituting a listed offence,

(c)if neither paragraph (a) nor (b) applies, that before the indictment or complaint was served, the prosecutor consulted both directors of public prosecutions about the prosecution.

(4)For the purposes of subsection (3)—

(a)the relevant director of public prosecutions is—

(i)in relation to subsection (3)(a)(i), the Director of Public Prosecutions (that is, the head of the Crown Prosecution Service),

(ii)in relation to subsection (3)(a)(ii), the Director of Public Prosecutions for Northern Ireland,

(b)the references to both directors of public prosecutions are to the Director of Public Prosecutions and the Director of Public Prosecutions for Northern Ireland.

(5)For the purposes of subsection (2)(a), a person is not to be regarded as having been prosecuted in respect of the act constituting the listed offence, elsewhere in the United Kingdom, if a prosecution elsewhere in the United Kingdom was withdrawn in order to enable the prosecution of the person in Scotland.

(6)In this section, “listed offence” means an offence listed in Part 2 of schedule 4.]

Textual Amendments

[F1054DOffences committed outside the United Kingdom: adult victimsS

(1)If—

(a)a person who is a UK national does an act in a country outside the United Kingdom, and

(b)the act, if done in Scotland, would constitute an offence to which this subsection applies,

then the person commits that offence.

(2)If—

(a)a person who is habitually resident in Scotland does an act in a country outside the United Kingdom,

(b)the act constitutes an offence under the law in force in that country, and

(c)the act, if done in Scotland, would constitute an offence to which this subsection applies,

then the person commits that offence.

(3)The offences to which subsections (1) and (2) apply are offences under any of sections 1 to 4 where the victim of the offence was 18 or over at the time of the offence.

(4)For the purposes of subsection (2)(b), an act punishable under the law in force in the country is an offence under that law however it is described in that law.

(5)The condition specified in subsection (2)(b) is to be taken as satisfied unless, not later than such time as may be prescribed by Act of Adjournal, the accused serves on the prosecutor a notice—

(a)stating that, on the facts as alleged with respect to the act in question, the condition is not in the accused's opinion satisfied,

(b)setting out the grounds for the accused's opinion, and

(c)requiring the prosecutor to prove that the condition is satisfied.

(6)But the court, if it thinks fit, may permit the accused to require the prosecutor to prove that the condition is satisfied without the prior service of a notice under subsection (5).

(7)In proceedings on indictment, the question whether the condition is satisfied is to be determined by the judge alone.

(8)A person may be prosecuted, tried and punished for an offence by virtue of this section—

(a)in any sheriff court district in Scotland in which the person is apprehended or is in custody, or

(b)in such sheriff court district as the Lord Advocate may determine,

as if the offence had been committed in that district; and the offence is, for all purposes incidental to or consequential on trial or punishment, to be deemed to have been committed in that district.

(9)In this section—

Textual Amendments

55Offences committed outside the United Kingdom [F11: child victims]S

(1)If a UK national does an act in a country outside the United Kingdom which would, if it had been done in Scotland, constitute a listed offence then the UK national commits that offence.

(2)If—

(a)a UK resident does an act in a country outside the United Kingdom which would, if it had been done in Scotland, constitute a listed offence, and

(b)the act constitutes an offence under the law in force in that country,

then the UK resident commits the listed offence.

[F12(2A)If—

(a)a person who is not a UK national or a UK resident does an act in a country outside the United Kingdom which would, if it had been done in Scotland, constitute a listed offence,

(b)the act constitutes an offence under the law in force in that country, and

(c)the person meets the nationality or residence condition at the relevant time,

proceedings may be brought against the person in Scotland for that listed offence as if the person had done the act there.

(2B)The person meets the nationality or residence condition at the relevant time if the person is a UK national or a UK resident at the time when the indictment or complaint is served on the person.]

(3)For the purposes of [F13subsections (2)(b) and (2A)(b)] , an act punishable under the law in force in the country is an offence under that law however it is described in that law.

(4)The condition specified in subsection (2)(b) [F14or (2A)(b)] is to be taken as satisfied unless, not later than such time as may be prescribed by Act of Adjournal, the accused serves on the prosecutor a notice—

(a)stating that, on the facts as alleged with respect to the act in question, the condition is not in the accused's opinion satisfied,

(b)setting out the grounds for the accused's opinion, and

(c)requiring the prosecutor to prove that the condition is satisfied.

(5)But the court, if it thinks fit, may permit the accused to require the prosecutor to prove that the condition is satisfied without the prior service of a notice under that subsection.

(6)In proceedings on indictment, the question whether the condition is satisfied is to be determined by the judge alone.

(7)A person may be [F15prosecuted], tried and punished for any offence to which this section applies—

(a)in any sheriff court district in Scotland in which the person is apprehended or is in custody, or

(b)in such sheriff court district as the Lord Advocate may determine,

as if the offence had been committed in that district; and the offence is, for all purposes incidental to or consequential on trial or punishment, to be deemed to have been committed in that district.

(8)In this section—

Textual Amendments

F11Words in s. 55 heading inserted (29.6.2021) by Domestic Abuse Act 2021 (c. 17), s. 90(6), Sch. 3 para. 5(3); S.S.I. 2021/239, reg. 2

56[F19Section 55: continuity of law]S

(1)This section applies where, in any trial—

(a)the accused is charged in respect of the same conduct both—

(i)with an offence mentioned in subsection (2) as modified by section 16B of the Criminal Law (Consolidation) (Scotland) Act 1995 (commission of certain sexual acts outside the United Kingdom), and

(ii)with that offence as modified by section 55,

(b)there is a failure to establish beyond reasonable doubt that—

(i)the time when the conduct took place was after the coming into force of section 55, and

(ii)the time when the conduct took place was before the coming into force of the repeal of section 16B of the Criminal Law (Consolidation) (Scotland) Act 1995, and

(c)the court (or, in the case of a trial of an indictment, the jury) is satisfied in every other respect that the accused committed the offences charged.

(2)The offences referred to in subsection (1)(a) are—

(a)an offence under section 52 of the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 (c. 45) (taking and distribution of indecent images of children),

(b)an offence under section 52A of that Act (possession of indecent images of children),

(c)an offence under section 9 of the Protection of Children and Prevention of Sexual Offences (Scotland) Act 2005 (asp 9) (paying for sexual services of a child),

(d)an offence under section 10 of that Act (causing or inciting provision by child of sexual services or pornography),

(e)an offence under section 11 of that Act (controlling a child providing sexual services or involved in pornography),

(f)an offence under section 12 of that Act (arranging or facilitating provision by child of sexual services or pornography).

(3)Where this section applies, the accused may be found guilty of the offence mentioned in subsection (2) as modified by section 16B of the Criminal Law (Consolidation) (Scotland) Act 1995.

(4)A reference in this section to an offence includes a reference to—

(a)an attempt to commit,

(b)incitement to commit,

(c)counselling or procuring the commission of, and

(d)involvement art and part in,

an offence.

Textual Amendments

F19S. 56 heading heading substituted (29.6.2021) by Domestic Abuse Act 2021 (c. 17), s. 90(6), Sch. 3 para. 5(4); S.S.I. 2021/239, reg. 2