Part 5Criminal law

Pornography etc.

67Penalties etc. for possession of extreme pornographic images

(1)

This section has effect where a person is guilty of an offence under section 63.

(2)

F1If the offence relates to an image that portrays any relevant act (with or without other acts) , the offender is liable—

(a)

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

(b)

on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 years or a fine or both.

(3)

If the offence relates to an image that does not portray any F2relevant act, the offender is liable—

(a)

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

(b)

on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 2 years or a fine or both.

(4)

In subsection (2)(a) or (3)(a) “the relevant period” means—

(a)

in relation to England and Wales, F3the general limit in a magistrates’ court;

(b)

in relation to Northern Ireland, 6 months.

F4(5)

In this section “relevant act” means—

(a)

in relation to England and Wales, an act within section 63(7)(a) or (b) or (7A)(a) or (b);

(b)

in relation to Northern Ireland, an act within section 63(7)(a) or (b) F5or (7A)(a) or (b).