5 Penalties for concealing offences or giving false information.U.K.
(1)Where a person has committed [F1a relevant offence], any other person who, knowing or believing that the offence or some [F2other relevant offence] has been committed, and that he has information which might be of material assistance in securing the prosecution or conviction of an offender for it, accepts or agrees to accept for not disclosing that information any consideration other than the making good of loss or injury caused by the offence, or the making of reasonable compensation for that loss or injury, shall be liable on conviction on indictment to imprisonment for not more than two years.
(2)Where a person causes any wasteful employment of the police by knowingly making to any person a false report tending to show that an offence has been committed, or to give rise to apprehension for the safety of any persons or property, or tending to show that he has information material to any police inquiry, he shall be liable on summary conviction to imprisonment for not more than six months or to a fine of not more than [F3level 4 on the standard scale] or to both.
(3)No proceedings shall be instituted for an offence under this section except by or with the consent of the Director of Public Prosecutions.
F4(4). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(5)The compounding of an offence other than treason shall not be an offence otherwise than under this section.
Textual Amendments
F1Words in s. 5(1) substituted (1.1.2006) by Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 (c. 15), s. 178(8), Sch. 7 para. 40(3)(a); S.I. 2005/3495, art. 2(1)(m)
F2Words in s. 5(1) substituted (1.1.2006) by Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 (c. 15), s. 178(8), Sch. 7 para. 40(3)(b); S.I. 2005/3495, art. 2(1)(m)
F3Words substituted by virtue of Criminal Justice Act 1982 (c. 48), ss. 38, 46
F4Ss. 4(5), 5(4) repealed by Criminal Law Act 1977 (c. 45), s. 65(5)(7), Sch. 13
Modifications etc. (not altering text)
C1S. 5 restricted (28.7.1998) by 1998 c. 35, s. 14(2)(c); S.I. 1998/1858, art.2.
C2S. 5(1) amended as to mode of trial by Magistrates' Courts Act 1980 (c. 43, SIF 82), Sch. 1 para. 26(b)