Prosecution and penalties

11Penalties

(1)

An individual guilty of an offence under section 1, 2 or 6 is liable—

(a)

on summary conviction, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 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 10 years, or to a fine, or to both.

F1(1A)

In the application of this section in England and Wales, the reference in subsection (1)(a) to 12 months is to be read as a reference to the general limit in a magistrates’ court (or to 6 months in relation to an offence committed before 2 May 2022).

(2)

Any other person guilty of an offence under section 1, 2 or 6 is liable—

(a)

on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum,

(b)

on conviction on indictment, to a fine.

(3)

A person guilty of an offence under section 7 is liable on conviction on indictment to a fine.

(4)

The reference in subsection (1)(a) to 12 months is to be read—

F2(a)

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(b)

in its application to Northern Ireland,

as a reference to 6 months.