Criminal Justice Act 1988

Possession of indecent photograph of child U.K.

160 Summary offence of possession of indecent photograph of child. E+W

(1) It is an offence for a person to have any indecent photograph [F1 or pseudo-photograph] of a child F2 . . . in his possession.

(2) Where a person is charged with an offence under subsection (1) above, it shall be a defence for him to prove—

(a) that he had a legitimate reason for having the photograph [F3 or pseudo-photograph] in his possession; or

(b) that he had not himself seen the photograph [F3 or pseudo-photograph] and did not know, nor had any cause to suspect, it to be indecent; or

(c) that the photograph [F3 or pseudo-photograph] was sent to him without any prior request made by him or on his behalf and that he did not keep it for an unreasonable time.

(3) A person shall be liable on summary conviction of an offence under this section to [F4 imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months or] a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale [F4 , or both].

(4) Sections 1(3), 2(3), 3 and 7 of the M1 Protection of Children Act 1978 shall have effect as if any reference in them to that Act included a reference to this section.

(5) Possession before this section comes into force is not an offence.

Textual Amendments

F1 Words in s. 160(1) inserted (3.2.1995) by 1994 c. 33, s. 84(4)(a); S.I. 1995/127, art. 2(1), Sch.1

F2 Words in s. 160(1) omitted (3.2.1995) by virtue of 1994 c. 33, s. 84(4)(a); S.I. 1995/127, art. 2(1), Sch.1

F3 Words in s. 160(2)(a)-(c) inserted (3.2.1995) by 1994 c. 33, s. 84(4)(b); S.I. 1995/127, art. 2(1), Sch.1

F4 Words in s. 160(3) inserted (3.2.1995) by 1994 c. 33, s. 86(1); S.I. 1995/127, art. 2(1), Sch.1

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 S. 160(5) amended (3.2.1995) by 1994 c. 33, s. 84(4)(c); S.I. 1995/127, art. 2(1), Sch.1

Marginal Citations

M1 1978 c. 37.

Yn ddilys o 01/05/2004

[F5 160A Marriage and other relationships E+W

(1) This section applies where, in proceedings for an offence under section 160 relating to an indecent photograph of a child, the defendant proves that the photograph was of the child aged 16 or over, and that at the time of the offence charged the child and he—

(a) were married, or

(b) lived together as partners in an enduring family relationship.

(2) This section also applies where, in proceedings for an offence under section 160 relating to an indecent photograph of a child, the defendant proves that the photograph was of the child aged 16 or over, and that at the time when he obtained it the child and he—

(a) were married, or

(b) lived together as partners in an enduring family relationship.

(3) This section applies whether the photograph showed the child alone or with the defendant, but not if it showed any other person.

(4) If sufficient evidence is adduced to raise an issue as to whether the child consented to the photograph being in the defendant’s possession, or as to whether the defendant reasonably believed that the child so consented, the defendant is not guilty of the offence unless it is proved that the child did not so consent and that the defendant did not reasonably believe that the child so consented.]

Textual Amendments

F5 S. 160A inserted (1.5.2004) by Sexual Offences Act 2003 (c. 42), ss. 45(4), 141; S.I. 2004/874, art. 2

161 Possession of indecent photographs of children: Scotland. S

(1) The following section shall be inserted after section 52 of the M2 Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982—

“52A Possession of indecent photographs of children.

(1) It is an offence for a person to have any indecent photograph of a child (meaning in this section a person under the age of 16) in his possession.

(2) Where a person is charged with an offence under subsection (1), it shall be a defence for him to prove—

(a) that he had a legitimate reason for having the photograph in his possession; or

(b) that he had not himself seen the photograph and did not know, nor had any cause to suspect, it to be indecent; or

(c) that the photograph was sent to him without any prior request made by him or on his behalf and that he did not keep it for an unreasonable time.

(3) A person shall be liable on summary conviction of an offence under this section to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale.

(4) Subsections (2) and (8) of section 52 of this Act shall have effect for the purposes of this section as they have for the purposes of that section.”.

(2) Section 52A of that Act shall not have effect in relation to anything done before it comes into force.

Marginal Citations

M2 1982 c. 45.