PART 1Domestic abuse: offence and aggravation

CHAPTER 1Offence of domestic abuse

Applicable rules and penalty

Alternative available for conviction

13.—(1) In proceedings in respect of a charge against a person (“A”) of the domestic abuse offence, A may be convicted of an alternative offence if the facts proved against A—

(a)do not amount to the domestic abuse offence, but

(b)do amount to the alternative offence.

(2) For the purposes of subsection (1), the alternative offences are—

(a)an offence under Article 4 of the Protection from Harassment (Northern Ireland) Order 1997 (harassment),

(b)an offence under Article 6 of that Order (putting people in fear of violence).

(3) This section is without prejudice to section 6(2) of the Criminal Law Act (Northern Ireland) 1967 (alternative verdicts on trial on indictment).