[F1103 Evidence of persons under 14 in committal proceedings for assault, sexual offences etc.E+W
[F2(1)In any proceedings before a magistrates’ court inquiring as examining justices into an offence to which this section applies, a statement made in writing by or taken in writing from a child shall be admissible in evidence of any matter.]
(2)This section applies—
(a)to an offence which involves an assault, or injury or a threat of injury to, a person;
(b)to an offence under section 1 of the M1Children and Young Persons Act 1933 (cruelty to persons under 16);
(c)to an offence under the M2 Sexual Offences Act 1956, F3. . . M3the Protection of Children Act 1978 [F4or Part 1 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003] ; and
(d)to an offence which consists of attempting or conspiring to commit, or of aiding, abetting, counselling, procuring or inciting the commission of, an offence falling within paragraph (a), (b) or (c) above.
F5(3). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
F5(4). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
[F6(5)In this section “child” has the same meaning as in section 53 of the Criminal Justice Act 1991.]]
Textual Amendments
F1S. 103 substituted by Criminal Justice Act 1988 (c. 33, SIF 39:1), ss. 33, 123(6), Sch. 8 para. 16
F2S. 103(1) substituted (4.7.1996, with effect as mentioned in Sch. 1 Pt. III para. 39 of the substituting Act) by 1996 c. 25, s. 47, Sch. 1 Pt. I para. 10(2) (with s. 78(1)); S.I. 1997/683, art. 1(2)
F3Words in s. 103(2)(c) repealed (1.5.2004) by Sexual Offences Act 2003 (c. 42), ss. 140, 141, Sch. 7; S.I. 2004/874, art. 2
F4Words in s. 103(2)(c) inserted (1.5.2004) by Sexual Offences Act 2003 (c. 42), ss. 139, 141, Sch. 6 para. 26(2); S.I. 2004/874, art. 2
F5S. 103(3)(4) repealed (4.7.1996, with effect as mentioned in Sch. 1 Pt. III para. 39 of the repealing Act) by 1996 c. 25, ss. 47, 80, Sch. 1 Pt. I para. 10(3), Sch. 5 table10 (with s. 78(1)); S.I. 1997/683, art. 1(2)
F6S. 103(5) substituted (1.10.1992) by Criminal Justice Act 1991 (c. 53, SIF 39:1), s. 55(1); S.I. 1992/333, art. 2(2), Sch. 2
Modifications etc. (not altering text)
C1S. 103(2)(d) modified (1.10.2008) by Serious Crimes Act 2007 (c. 27), ss. 63(1), 94, Sch. 6 para. 5(b) (with Sch. 13 para. 5); S.I. 2008/2504, art. 2(a)(g)
Marginal Citations
M11933 c. 12 (20).