Part VI

Miscellaneous

Terrorist offences

Possession for terrorist purposes
57
1
A person commits an offence if he possesses an article in circumstances which give rise to a reasonable suspicion that his possession is for a purpose connected with the commission, preparation or instigation of an act of terrorism.
2
It is a defence for a person charged with an offence under this section to prove that his possession of the article was not for a purpose connected with the commission, preparation or instigation of an act of terrorism.
3
In proceedings for an offence under this section, if it is proved that an article—
a
was on any premises at the same time as the accused, or
b
was on premises of which the accused was the occupier or which he habitually used otherwise than as a member of the public,
the court may assume that the accused possessed the article, unless he proves that he did not know of its presence on the premises or that he had no control over it.
4
A person guilty of an offence under this section shall be liable—
a
on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 10 years, to a fine or to both, or
b
on summary conviction, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months, to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum or to both.