Wireless Telegraphy Act 2006

47 Misleading messages U.K.

(1) A person commits an offence if, by means of wireless telegraphy, he sends or attempts to send a message to which this section applies.

(2) This section applies to a message which, to the person's knowledge—

(a) is false or misleading; and

(b) is likely to prejudice the efficiency of a safety of life service or to endanger the safety of a person or of a ship, aircraft or vehicle.

(3) This section applies in particular to a message which, to the person's knowledge, falsely suggests that a ship or aircraft—

(a) is in distress or in need of assistance; or

(b) is not in distress or not in need of assistance.

(4) A person who commits an offence under this section is liable—

(a) on summary conviction, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding [F1 the general limit in a magistrates’ court] or to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum or to both;

(b) on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or to a fine or to both.

(5) In the application of subsection (4) to Scotland or Northern Ireland the reference to 12 months is to be read as a reference to six months.

Textual Amendments

F1 Words in s. 47(4)(a) substituted (7.2.2023 at 12.00 p.m.) by The Judicial Review and Courts Act 2022 (Magistrates’ Court Sentencing Powers) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/149), regs. 1(2), 2(1), Sch. Pt. 1