6Offences in connection with authorised inspectors
(1)A person who intentionally obstructs an authorised inspector acting in the exercise of powers conferred by section 5 commits an offence.
(2)A person who fails without reasonable excuse to comply with a requirement for assistance reasonably made under section 5(5)(d) commits an offence.
(3)A person who, with intent to deceive, falsely pretends to be an authorised inspector commits an offence.
(4)A person guilty of an offence under subsection (1) or (2) is liable on summary conviction to a fine.
(5)A person guilty of an offence under subsection (3) is liable—
(a)on summary conviction, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or a fine (or both);
(b)on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or a fine (or both).
(6)In relation to an offence committed before the commencement of paragraph 24(2) of Schedule 22 to the Sentencing Act 2020, the reference in subsection (5)(a) to 12 months is to be read as a reference to six months.