Part 1Sexual Offences

Care workers for persons with a mental disorder

39Care workers: causing or inciting sexual activity

(1)

A person (A) commits an offence if—

(a)

he intentionally causes or incites another person (B) to engage in an activity,

(b)

the activity is sexual,

(c)

B has a mental disorder,

(d)

A knows or could reasonably be expected to know that B has a mental disorder, and

(e)

A is involved in B’s care in a way that falls within section 42.

(2)

Where in proceedings for an offence under this section it is proved that the other person had a mental disorder, it is to be taken that the defendant knew or could reasonably have been expected to know that that person had a mental disorder unless sufficient evidence is adduced to raise an issue as to whether he knew or could reasonably have been expected to know it.

(3)

A person guilty of an offence under this section, if the activity caused or incited involved—

(a)

penetration of B’s anus or vagina,

(b)

penetration of B’s mouth with a person’s penis,

(c)

penetration of a person’s anus or vagina with a part of B’s body or by B with anything else, or

(d)

penetration of a person’s mouth with B’s penis,

is liable, on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 14 years.

(4)

Unless subsection (3) applies, a person guilty of an offence under this section is liable—

(a)

on summary conviction, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum or both;

(b)

on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 10 years.