31(1)A person commits an offence who for the purpose of obtaining a licence under paragraph 17—U.K.
(a)provides information that is false in a material respect or a document that is not what it purports to be, and
(b)knows that, or is reckless as to whether, the information is false or the document is not what it purports to be.
(2)A person guilty of an offence under this paragraph is liable [F1—
(a)on summary conviction—
(i)in England and Wales, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months (or, in relation to offences committed before [F2paragraph 24(2) of Schedule 22 to the Sentencing Act 2020] comes into force, 6 months) or to a fine, or to both;
(ii)in Scotland, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months, or to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum, or to both;
(iii)in Northern Ireland, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 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 2 years or to a fine, or to both.]
Textual Amendments
F1Words in Sch. 7 para. 31 substituted (31.1.2017 for specified purposes, 1.4.2017 in so far as not already in force) by Policing and Crime Act 2017 (c. 3), ss. 145(9), 183(3)(5)(e) (with s. 145(10)); S.I. 2017/482, reg. 2
F2Words in Sch. 7 para. 31(2)(a)(i) substituted (1.12.2020) by Sentencing Act 2020 (c. 17), s. 416(1), Sch. 24 para. 443(1) (with Sch. 24 para. 447, Sch. 27); S.I. 2020/1236, reg. 2