Part IV

Offences, Powers of Constables, etc.

Offences of annoying, offensive, obstructive or dangerous behaviour

Sections 52 and 52A: exceptions for photographs of 16 and 17 year olds
52B
1
If subsection (2) below applies, the accused is not guilty of an offence under section 52(1)(a) of this Act of taking or making an indecent photograph of a child.
2
This subsection applies if—
a
either—
i
the photograph was of the child aged 16 or over; or
ii
the accused reasonably believed that to be so;
b
at the time of the offence charged or at the time when the accused obtained the photograph, the accused and the child were—
i
married to or civil partners of each other; or
ii
partners in an established relationship; and
c
either—
i
the child consented to the photograph being taken or made; or
ii
the accused reasonably believed that to be so.
3
If subsection (4) below applies, the accused is not guilty of an offence under section 52(1)(b) of this Act relating to an indecent photograph of a child.
4
This subsection applies if—
a
either—
i
the photograph was of the child aged 16 or over; or
ii
the accused reasonably believed that to be so;
b
at the time of the offence charged or at the time when the accused obtained the photograph, the accused and the child were—
i
married to or civil partners of each other; or
ii
partners in an established relationship;
c
either—
i
the child consented to the photograph's being taken or made; or
ii
the accused reasonably believed that to be so; and
d
the showing or distributing of the photograph was only to the child.
5
If subsection (6) below applies, the accused is not guilty of an offence under section 52(1)(c) of this Act relating to an indecent photograph of a child.
6
This subsection applies if—
a
either—
i
the photograph was of the child aged 16 or over; or
ii
the accused reasonably believed that to be so;
b
at the time of the offence charged or at the time when the accused obtained the photograph, the accused and the child were—
i
married to or civil partners of each other; or
ii
partners in an established relationship;
c
either—
i
the child consented to the photograph's being in the accused's possession; or
ii
the accused reasonably believed that to be so; and
d
the accused had the photograph in his possession with a view to its being distributed or shown only to the child.
7
If subsection (8) below applies, the accused is not guilty of an offence under section 52A of this Act relating to an indecent photograph of a child.
8
This subsection applies if—
a
either—
i
the photograph was of the child aged 16 or over; or
ii
the accused reasonably believed that to be so;
b
at the time of the offence charged or at the time when the accused obtained the photograph, the accused and the child were—
i
married to or civil partners of each other; or
ii
partners in an established relationship; and
c
either—
i
the child consented to the photograph's being in the accused's possession; or
ii
the accused reasonably believed that to be so.
9
Subsections (2), (4), (6) and (8) above apply whether the photograph showed the child alone or with the accused, but not if it showed any other person.
Act partly in force at Royal Assent see s. 137(2); Act wholly in force at 1. 1. 1985 see S.I. 1983/201 as amended by S.I. 1984/573 and 744.
Act (except s. 16 which applies to England and Wales) applies to Scotland only see s. 137(9).
Act excluded (19. 12. 1991) by City of Edinburgh District Council Order Confirmation Act (c. xix), ss. 1, 12(2), Sch. Pt. V
Ss. 52B, 52C inserted (7.10.2005) by Protection of Children and Prevention of Sexual Offences (Scotland) Act 2005 (asp 9), ss. 16(3), 20(2); S.S.I. 2005/480, art. 2