[F1(1)A person aged 18 or over (A) commits an offence if—
[F2(a)A has met or communicated with another person (B) on at least two occasions and subsequently—
(i)A intentionally meets B,
(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 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 subsection (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 Part,
(ii)F3. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(iii)anything done outside England and Wales F4. . . which is not an offence within sub-paragraph (i) F4. . . but would be an offence within sub-paragraph (i) if done in England and Wales.
(3)F5. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(4)A person guilty of an offence under this section 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.]
Textual Amendments
F1S. 15 repealed (N.I.) (2.2.2009) by The Sexual Offences (Northern Ireland) Order 2008 (S.I. 2008/1769 (N.I. 2)), arts. 1, 78(a), Sch. 3 (with Sch. 2 para. 1); S.R. 2008/510, art. 2
F2S. 15(1)(a)(b) substituted (14.7.2008) by Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008 (c. 4), ss. 73, 153(7), Sch. 15 para. 1; S.I. 2008/1586, art. 2, Sch. 1 para. 35 (subject to Sch. 2)
F3S. 15(2)(b)(ii) omitted (2.2.2009) by virtue of The Sexual Offences (Northern Ireland Consequential Amendments) Order 2008 (S.I. 2008/1779), arts. 2(3), 4(2); S.I. 2008/510, art. 2
F4Words in s. 15(2)(b)(iii) omitted (2.2.2009) by virtue of The Sexual Offences (Northern Ireland Consequential Amendments) Order 2008 (S.I. 2008/1779), arts. 2(3), 4(3); S.I. 2008/510, art. 2
F5S. 15(3) omitted (2.2.2009) by virtue of The Sexual Offences (Northern Ireland Consequential Amendments) Order 2008 (S.I. 2008/1779), arts. 2(3), 4(4); S.I. 2008/510, art. 2