(1)A person who—
(a)dishonestly obtains an electronic communications service, and
(b)does so with intent to avoid payment of a charge applicable to the provision of that service,
is guilty of an offence.
(2)It is not an offence under this section to obtain a service mentioned in section 297(1) of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 (c. 48) (dishonestly obtaining a broadcasting or cable programme service provided from a place in the UK).
(3)A person guilty of an offence under this section shall be liable—
(a)on summary conviction, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months or to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum, or to both;
(b)on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years or to a fine, or to both.