Sexual Offences Act 2003

England and Wales U.K.

1 U.K. An offence under section 1 of the Sexual Offences Act 1956 (c. 69) (rape).

2 U.K. An offence under section 5 of that Act (intercourse with girl under 13).

3 U.K. An offence under section 6 of that Act (intercourse with girl under 16), if the offender was 20 or over.

4 U.K. An offence under section 10 of that Act (incest by a man), if the victim or (as the case may be) other party was under 18.

5 U.K. An offence under section 12 of that Act (buggery) if—

(a) the offender was 20 or over, and

(b) the victim or (as the case may be) other party was under 18.

6 U.K. An offence under section 13 of that Act (indecency between men) if—

(a) the offender was 20 or over, and

(b) the victim or (as the case may be) other party was under 18.

7 U.K. An offence under section 14 of that Act (indecent assault on a woman) if—

(a) the victim or (as the case may be) other party was under 18, or

(b) the offender, in respect of the offence or finding, is or has been—

(i) sentenced to imprisonment for a term of at least 30 months; or

(ii) admitted to a hospital subject to a restriction order.

8 U.K. An offence under section 15 of that Act (indecent assault on a man) if—

(a) the victim or (as the case may be) other party was under 18, or

(b) the offender, in respect of the offence or finding, is or has been—

(i) sentenced to imprisonment for a term of at least 30 months; or

(ii) admitted to a hospital subject to a restriction order.

9 U.K. An offence under section 16 of that Act (assault with intent to commit buggery), if the victim or (as the case may be) other party was under 18.

10 U.K. An offence under section 28 of that Act (causing or encouraging the prostitution of, intercourse with or indecent assault on girl under 16).

11 U.K. An offence under section 1 of the Indecency with Children Act 1960 (c. 33) (indecent conduct towards young child).

12 U.K. An offence under section 54 of the Criminal Law Act 1977 (c. 45) (inciting girl under 16 to have incestuous sexual intercourse).

13 U.K. An offence under section 1 of the Protection of Children Act 1978 (c. 37) (indecent photographs of children), if the indecent photographs or pseudo-photographs showed persons under 16 and—

(a) the conviction, finding or caution was before the commencement of this Part, or

(b) the offender—

(i) was 18 or over, or

(ii) is sentenced in respect of the offence to imprisonment for a term of at least 12 months.

14 U.K. An offence under section 170 of the Customs and Excise Management Act 1979 (c. 2) (penalty for fraudulent evasion of duty etc.) in relation to goods prohibited to be imported under section 42 of the Customs Consolidation Act 1876 (c. 36) (indecent or obscene articles), if the prohibited goods included indecent photographs of persons under 16 and—

(a) the conviction, finding or caution was before the commencement of this Part, or

(b) the offender—

(i) was 18 or over, or

(ii) is sentenced in respect of the offence to imprisonment for a term of at least 12 months.

15 U.K. An offence under section 160 of the Criminal Justice Act 1988 (c. 33) (possession of indecent photograph of a child), if the indecent photographs or pseudo-photographs showed persons under 16 and—

(a) the conviction, finding or caution was before the commencement of this Part, or

(b) the offender—

(i) was 18 or over, or

(ii) is sentenced in respect of the offence to imprisonment for a term of at least 12 months.

16 U.K. An offence under section 3 of the Sexual Offences (Amendment) Act 2000 (c. 44) (abuse of position of trust), if the offender was 20 or over.

17 U.K. An offence under section 1 or 2 of this Act (rape, assault by penetration).

18 U.K. An offence under section 3 of this Act (sexual assault) if—

(a) where the offender was under 18, he is or has been sentenced, in respect of the offence, to imprisonment for a term of at least 12 months;

(b) in any other case—

(i) the victim was under 18, or

(ii) the offender, in respect of the offence or finding, is or has been—

(a) sentenced to a term of imprisonment,

(b) detained in a hospital, or

(c) made the subject of a community sentence of at least 12 months.

19 U.K. An offence under any of sections 4 to 6 of this Act (causing sexual activity without consent, rape of a child under 13, assault of a child under 13 by penetration).

20 U.K. An offence under section 7 of this Act (sexual assault of a child under 13) if the offender—

(a) was 18 or over, or

(b) is or has been sentenced in respect of the offence to imprisonment for a term of at least 12 months.

21 U.K. An offence under any of sections 8 to 12 of this Act (causing or inciting a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity, child sex offences committed by adults).

22 U.K. An offence under section 13 of this Act (child sex offences committed by children or young persons), if the offender is or has been sentenced, in respect of the offence, to imprisonment for a term of at least 12 months.

23 U.K. An offence under section 14 of this Act (arranging or facilitating the commission of a child sex offence) if the offender—

(a) was 18 or over, or

(b) is or has been sentenced, in respect of the offence, to imprisonment for a term of at least 12 months.

24 U.K. An offence under section 15 of this Act (meeting a child following sexual grooming etc).

[F1 24A U.K. An offence under section 15A of this Act (sexual communication with a child).]

Textual Amendments

F1 Sch. 3 para. 24A inserted (3.4.2017) by Serious Crime Act 2015 (c. 9), s. 88(1), Sch. 4 para. 66(2); S.I. 2017/511, reg. 2(b)(ii)

25 U.K. An offence under any of sections 16 to 19 of this Act (abuse of a position of trust) if the offender, in respect of the offence, is or has been—

(a) sentenced to a term of imprisonment,

(b) detained in a hospital, or

(c) made the subject of a community sentence of at least 12 months.

26 U.K. An offence under section 25 or 26 of this Act (familial child sex offences) if the offender—

(a) was 18 or over, or

(b) is or has been sentenced in respect of the offence to imprisonment for a term of at least 12 months.

27 U.K. An offence under any of sections 30 to 37 of this Act (offences against persons with a mental disorder impeding choice, inducements etc. to persons with mental disorder).

28 U.K. An offence under any of sections 38 to 41 of this Act (care workers for persons with mental disorder) if —

(a) where the offender was under 18, he is or has been sentenced in respect of the offence to imprisonment for a term of at least 12 months;

(b) in any other case, the offender, in respect of the offence or finding, is or has been—

(i) sentenced to a term of imprisonment,

(ii) detained in a hospital, or

(iii) made the subject of a community sentence of at least 12 months.

29 U.K. An offence under section 47 of this Act (paying for sexual services of a child) if the victim or (as the case may be) other party was under 16, and the offender—

(a) was 18 or over, or

(b) is or has been sentenced in respect of the offence to imprisonment for a term of at least 12 months.

[F2 29A U.K. An offence under section 48 of this Act (causing or inciting child prostitution or pornography) if the offender –

(a) was 18 or over, or

(b) is or has been sentenced in respect of the offence to imprisonment for a term of at least 12 months.

Textual Amendments

F2 Sch. 3 paras. 29A-29C inserted (19.2.2007) by The Sexual Offences Act 2003 (Amendment of Schedules 3 and 5) Order 2007 (S.I. 2007/296), arts. 1(1), 2(2)

29B U.K. An offence under section 49 of this Act (controlling a child prostitute or a child involved in pornography) if the offender –

(a) was 18 or over, or

(b) is or has been sentenced in respect of the offence to imprisonment for a term of at least 12 months.

Textual Amendments

F2 Sch. 3 paras. 29A-29C inserted (19.2.2007) by The Sexual Offences Act 2003 (Amendment of Schedules 3 and 5) Order 2007 (S.I. 2007/296), arts. 1(1), 2(2)

29C U.K. An offence under section 50 of this Act (arranging or facilitating child prostitution or pornography) if the offender –

(a) was 18 or over, or

(b) is or has been sentenced in respect of the offence to imprisonment for a term of at least 12 months.]

Textual Amendments

F2 Sch. 3 paras. 29A-29C inserted (19.2.2007) by The Sexual Offences Act 2003 (Amendment of Schedules 3 and 5) Order 2007 (S.I. 2007/296), arts. 1(1), 2(2)

30 U.K. An offence under section 61 of this Act (administering a substance with intent).

31 U.K. An offence under section 62 or 63 of this Act (committing an offence or trespassing, with intent to commit a sexual offence) if—

(a) where the offender was under 18, he is or has been sentenced in respect of the offence to imprisonment for a term of at least 12 months;

(b) in any other case—

(i) the intended offence was an offence against a person under 18, or

(ii) the offender, in respect of the offence or finding, is or has been—

(a) sentenced to a term of imprisonment,

(b) detained in a hospital, or

(c) made the subject of a community sentence of at least 12 months.

32 U.K. An offence under section 64 or 65 of this Act (sex with an adult relative) if —

(a) where the offender was under 18, he is or has been sentenced in respect of the offence to imprisonment for a term of at least 12 months;

(b) in any other case, the offender, in respect of the offence or finding, is or has been—

(i) sentenced to a term of imprisonment, or

(ii) detained in a hospital.

33 U.K. An offence under section 66 of this Act (exposure) if—

(a) where the offender was under 18, he is or has been sentenced in respect of the offence to imprisonment for a term of at least 12 months;

(b) in any other case—

(i) the victim was under 18, or

(ii) the offender, in respect of the offence or finding, is or has been—

(a) sentenced to a term of imprisonment,

(b) detained in a hospital, or

(c) made the subject of a community sentence of at least 12 months.

[F3 33A U.K. An offence under section 66A of this Act (sending etc photograph or film of genitals) if—

(a) where the offender was under 18, the offender is or has been sentenced in respect of the offence to imprisonment for a term of at least 12 months;

(b) in any other case—

(i) the victim was under 18, or

(ii) the offender, in respect of the offence or finding, is or has been—

(a) sentenced to a term of imprisonment,

(b) detained in a hospital, or

(c) made the subject of a community sentence of at least 12 months.

Textual Amendments

F3 Sch. 3 paras. 33A, 33B inserted (31.1.2024) by Online Safety Act 2023 (c. 50), s. 240(1), Sch. 14 para. 16(4); S.I. 2024/31, reg. 2

33B U.K. An offence under section 66B(3) of this Act (sharing intimate photograph or film for purpose of obtaining sexual gratification) if—

(a) where the offender was under 18, the offender is or has been sentenced in respect of the offence to imprisonment for a term of at least 12 months;

(b) in any other case—

(i) the victim was under 18, or

(ii) the offender, in respect of the offence or finding, is or has been—

(a) sentenced to a term of imprisonment,

(b) detained in a hospital, or

(c) made the subject of a community sentence of at least 12 months.]

Textual Amendments

F3 Sch. 3 paras. 33A, 33B inserted (31.1.2024) by Online Safety Act 2023 (c. 50), s. 240(1), Sch. 14 para. 16(4); S.I. 2024/31, reg. 2

34 U.K. An offence under section 67 of this Act (voyeurism) if—

(a) where the offender was under 18, he is or has been sentenced in respect of the offence to imprisonment for a term of at least 12 months;

(b) in any other case—

(i) the victim was under 18, or

(ii) the offender, in respect of the offence or finding, is or has been—

(a) sentenced to a term of imprisonment,

(b) detained in a hospital, or

(c) made the subject of a community sentence of at least 12 months.

[F4 34A (1) An offence under section 67A of this Act (voyeurism: additional offences), if— E+W

(a) the offence was committed for the purpose mentioned in section 67A(3)(a) (sexual gratification), and

(b) the relevant condition is met.

(2) Where the offender was under 18, the relevant condition is that the offender is or has been sentenced in respect of the offence to imprisonment for a term of at least 12 months.

(3) In any other case, the relevant condition is that—

(a) the victim was under 18, or

(b) the offender, in respect of the offence or finding, is or has been—

(i) sentenced to a term of imprisonment,

(ii) detained in a hospital, or

(iii) made the subject of a community sentence of at least 12 months.]

Textual Amendments

F4 Sch. 3 para. 34A inserted (12.4.2019) by Voyeurism (Offences) Act 2019 (c. 2), ss. 1(4), 2(2)

35 U.K. An offence under section 69 or 70 of this Act (intercourse with an animal, sexual penetration of a corpse) if —

(a) where the offender was under 18, he is or has been sentenced in respect of the offence to imprisonment for a term of at least 12 months;

(b) in any other case, the offender, in respect of the offence or finding, is or has been—

(i) sentenced to a term of imprisonment, or

(ii) detained in a hospital.

[F5 35A E+W+N.I. An offence under section 63 of the Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008 (possession of extreme pornographic images) if the offender—

(a) was 18 or over, and

(b) is sentenced in respect of the offence to imprisonment for a term of at least 2 years.]

Textual Amendments

F5 Sch. 3 para. 35A inserted (E.W.N.I.) (26.1.2009) by Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008 (c. 4), ss. 148(1), 153(7), Sch. 26 para. 58(2); S.I. 2008/2993, art. 2(2)(j)

[F6 35B U.K. An offence under section 62(1) of the Coroners and Justice Act 2009 (possession of prohibited images of children) if the offender—

(a) was 18 or over, and

(b) is sentenced in respect of the offence to imprisonment for a term of at least 2 years.]

Textual Amendments

F6 Sch. 3 para. 35B inserted (6.4.2010) by Coroners and Justice Act 2009 (c. 25), ss. 177(1), 182(5), Sch. 21 para. 62(2); S.I. 2010/816, art. 2, Sch. para. 20(a) (with art. 7)

[F7 35C U.K. An offence under section 69 of the Serious Crime Act 2015 (possession of paedophile manual) if the offender—

(a) was 18 or over, or

(b) is sentenced in respect of the offence to imprisonment for a term of at least 12 months.]

Textual Amendments

F7 Sch. 3 para. 35C inserted (3.5.2015) by Serious Crime Act 2015 (c. 9), s. 88(1), Sch. 4 para. 66(3); S.I. 2015/820, reg. 2(r)(viii)