F151G Punishment for disobedience to witness summons.U.K.
(1)Any person who without just excuse—
(a)disobeys a witness summons requiring him to attend before the Crown Court; or
(b)disobeys a requirement made by the Crown Court under section 51B,
shall be guilty of contempt of that court and may be punished summarily by that court as if his contempt were in the face of the court.
(2)A person shall not be committed to prison by reason of any disobedience mentioned in subsection (1) for a period exceeding three months.
Textual Amendments
F1Ss. 51A- 51H inserted (4.7.1996) by virtue of 1996 c.25, s. 79(4), Sch. 4 paras. 1, 28 (by virtue of which provisions the 1996 Act has effect, subject to the modification that in its application to N.I. for s. 66(1)(4) of that Act there is substituted s. 66(1)(4) as set out in Sch. 4 para. 28 of the 1996 Act) (with s. 78(1))