(1)A person who—
(a)places any article in any place whatever; or
(b)dispatches any article by post, rail or any other means whatever of sending things from one place to another,
with the intention (in either case) of inducing in some other person a belief that it is likely to explode or ignite and thereby cause personal injury or damage to property is guilty of an offence.
In this subsection “article” includes substance.
(2)A person who communicates any information which he knows or believes to be false to another person with the intention of inducing in him or any other person a false belief that a bomb or other thing liable to explode or ignite is present in any place or location whatever is guilty of an offence.
(3)For a person to be guilty of an offence under subsection (1) or (2) above it is not necessary for him to have any particular person in mind as the person in whom he intends to induce the belief mentioned in that subsection.
(4)A person guilty of an offence under this section shall be liable—
(a)on summary conviction, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding [F1six months] or to a fine not exceeding £1,000, or both;
(b)on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding [F1seven years].
Textual Amendments
F1Words in s. 51(4)(a)(b) substituted (31. 10. 1991) (with saving E.W.) by Criminal Justice Act 1991 (c. 53, SIF 39:1), s. 26(4), (with ss. 28, 101(1), Sch. 12 para. 7); S.I. 1991/2208, art. 2(4), Sch.3.