The Sexual Offences (Northern Ireland) Order 2008

Meeting a child following sexual grooming etc.

22.—(1) A person aged 18 or over (A) commits an offence if—

(a) A has met or communicated with another person (B) on at least two occasions, and subsequently—

(i) A intentionally meets B, or

(ii) A travels with the intention of meeting B in any part of the world or arranges to meet B in any part of the world, or

(iii) B travels with the intention of meeting A in any part of the world,

(b) A intends to do anything to or in respect of B, during or after the meeting mentioned in sub-paragraph (a)(i) to (iii) and in any part of the world, which if done will involve the commission by A of a relevant offence,

(c) B is under 16, and

(d) A does not reasonably believe that B is 16 or over.

(2) In paragraph (1)—

(a) the reference to A having met or communicated with B is a reference to A having met B in any part of the world or having communicated with B by any means from, to or in any part of the world;

(b) “relevant offence” means—

(i) an offence under this Order, or

(ii) an offence under any of sections 57 to 59 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003 (c.42), or

(iii) anything done outside Northern Ireland which is not an offence under paragraph (i) or (ii) but would be an offence within paragraph (i) or (ii) if done in Northern Ireland.

(3) A person guilty of an offence under this Article is liable—

(a) on summary conviction, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum or both;

(b) on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 10 years.