[F129B Interference etc. with equipment, messages or signals.F2U.K.
(1)Any person subject to this Act who by any conduct of his—
(a)intentionally impairs the efficiency or effectiveness of any equipment which is public or service property; or
(b)intentionally interferes with or modifies any message or other signal which is being transmitted, by means of a telecommunication system, directly or indirectly to or from any such equipment,
shall be liable to imprisonment or any less punishment authorised by this Act.
(2)Any person subject to this Act who is guilty of any conduct which is likely to have the effect—
(a)of impairing the efficiency or effectiveness of any such equipment; or
(b)of interfering with or modifying any such message or signal,
shall (whether or not that conduct has that effect) be liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or any less punishment authorised by this Act.
(3)It shall be a defence for a person charged with an offence under subsection (2) of this section in respect of any conduct likely to have a particular effect that, in the circumstances, his conduct was in all respects consistent with the exercise of reasonable care to avoid producing that effect.
(4)For the purposes of this section the efficiency or effectiveness of any equipment is impaired if, whether or not it is damaged, the equipment is made temporarily or permanently less efficient or effective either for all purposes or for a particular purpose for which it has been designed, adapted, adjusted or programmed.
(5)in this section—
“conduct” includes any act or omission;
“equipment” includes any apparatus, any computer and any vessel, aircraft or vehicle; and
“telecommunication system” has the same meaning as in the Telecommunications Act M11984.]
Textual Amendments
F1S. 29B inserted by Armed Forces Act 1986 (c. 21, SIF 7:1),s. 2(1)(2)
Marginal Citations
Textual Amendments applied to the whole legislation
F2Act repealed (prosp.) by Armed Forces Act 2006 (c. 52), ss. 378, 383, Sch. 17 and the repeal being partly in force, as to which see individual provisions