Part 13Miscellaneous

Dangerous substances

113 Use of noxious substances or things to cause harm and intimidate

(1)

A person who takes any action which—

(a)

involves the use of a noxious substance or other noxious thing;

(b)

has or is likely to have an effect falling within subsection (2); and

(c)

is designed to influence the government F1or an international governmental organisation or to intimidate the public or a section of the public,

is guilty of an offence.

(2)

Action has an effect falling within this subsection if it—

(a)

causes serious violence against a person anywhere in the world;

(b)

causes serious damage to real or personal property anywhere in the world;

(c)

endangers human life or creates a serious risk to the health or safety of the public or a section of the public; or

(d)

induces in members of the public the fear that the action is likely to endanger their lives or create a serious risk to their health or safety;

but any effect on the person taking the action is to be disregarded.

(3)

A person who—

(a)

makes a threat that he or another will take any action which constitutes an offence under subsection (1); and

(b)

intends thereby to induce in a person anywhere in the world the fear that the threat is likely to be carried out,

is guilty of an offence.

(4)

A person guilty of an offence under this section is liable—

(a)

on summary conviction, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months or a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum (or both); and

(b)

on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding fourteen years or a fine (or both).

(5)

In this section—

“the government” means the government of the United Kingdom, of a part of the United Kingdom or of a country other than the United Kingdom; and

“the public” includes the public of a country other than the United Kingdom.