Criminal Justice and Courts Act 2015 (c. 2)

PART 1 U.K. Criminal Justice

Offences involving intent to cause distress etc U.K.

32 Sending letters etc with intent to cause distress or anxiety U.K.

(1) In section 1 of the Malicious Communications Act 1988 (offence of sending letters etc with intent to cause distress or anxiety), for subsection (4) substitute—

“(4) A person guilty of an offence under this section is liable—

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

(b) on summary conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or a fine (or both).

(5) In relation to an offence committed before section 154(1) of the Criminal Justice Act 2003 comes into force, the reference in subsection (4)(b) to 12 months is to be read as a reference to six months.

(6) In relation to an offence committed before section 85 of the Legal Aid Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 comes into force, the reference in subsection (4)(b) to a fine is to be read as a reference to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum.”

(2) The amendment made by this section applies only in relation to an offence committed on or after the day on which it comes into force.

Commencement Information

I1 S. 32 in force at 13.4.2015 by S.I. 2015/778, art. 3, Sch. 1 para. 26

F1 33 Disclosing , or threatening to disclose, private sexual photographs and films with intent to cause distress E+W

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Textual Amendments

F1 Ss. 33-35 repealed (31.1.2024) by Online Safety Act 2023 (c. 50), ss. 190, 240(1); S.I. 2024/31, reg. 2

F1 34 Meaning of “disclose” and “photograph or film” E+W

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Textual Amendments

F1 Ss. 33-35 repealed (31.1.2024) by Online Safety Act 2023 (c. 50), ss. 190, 240(1); S.I. 2024/31, reg. 2

F1 35 Meaning of “private” and “sexual” E+W

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Textual Amendments

F1 Ss. 33-35 repealed (31.1.2024) by Online Safety Act 2023 (c. 50), ss. 190, 240(1); S.I. 2024/31, reg. 2