Air Force Act 1955 (repealed)

[F1 71A Juveniles U.K.

(1) A person under [F2 21] years of age shall not be sentenced to imprisonment.

[F3 (1A) Where a person under 21 years of age is convicted of murder or any other civil offence the sentence for which is fixed by law as imprisonment for life, the court shall sentence him to custody for life unless he is liable to be detained under subsection (3) below.

(1B) Where a person aged 17 years or over but under 21 years of age is convicted of any other offence for which a person aged 21 years or over would be liable to imprisonment for life, the court shall sentence him to custody for life if—

(a) it is of the opinion that no other method of dealing with him is appropriate; and

(b) it considers that a custodial sentence for life would be appropriate.

(1C) For the purpose of determining whether any method of dealing with a person to whom subsection (1B) of this section applies, other than sentencing him to custody for life, is appropriate, the court shall obtain and consider information about the circumstances, and shall take into account any information before the court which is relevant to his character and his physical and mental condition.]

(2)

F4 (3) A person convicted of murder who was under 18 years of age when the offence was committed shall not be sentenced to imprisonment for life, nor shall sentence of death be pronounced on or recorded against a person convicted of any offence who was under 18 years of age when the offence was committed; but in lieu thereof the court shall (notwithstanding anything in this or any other Act) sentence him to be detained during Her Majesty’s pleasure, and if so sentenced he shall be liable to be detained in such place and under such conditions as the Secretary of State may direct.

(4) A person under 17 years of age found guilty of a civil offence (other than one the sentence for which is fixed) which is punishable by a civil court in England or Wales on indictment by, in the case of an adult, a term of imprisonment for 14 years or more, may be sentenced by the court, if it is of opinion that none of the other methods in which the case may be legally dealt with is suitable, to be detained for such period, not exceeding the maximum term of imprisonment with which the offence is punishable by such a civil court in the case of an adult, as may be specified in the sentence; and where such a sentence has been passed, the person on whom it is passed shall during that period be liable to be detained in such place and on such conditions as the Secretary of State may direct.

(5) A sentence of [F5 custody for life or]detention under subsection (3) or (4) above shall be treated for the purposes of this Part of this Act as a punishment provided by this Act involving the same degree of punishment as a sentence of imprisonment; and section 71(3) and (4) above shall apply to such a sentence of detention [F5 and to a sentence of custody for life]as they apply to a sentence of imprisonment.

(6) A person detained pursuant to the directions of the Secretary of State under this section shall, while so detained, be deemed to be in legal custody.]

Textual Amendments

F1 S. 71A inserted by Armed Forces Act 1976 (c. 52), s. 10(1)

F2 Figure substituted by Criminal Justice Act 1982 (c. 48, SIF 39:1), s. 58, Sch. 8 para. 2(a)

F3 S. 71A(1A)–(1C) inserted by Criminal Justice Act 1982 (c. 48, SIF 39:1), s. 58, Sch. 8 para. 2(b)

F4 S. 71A(2) repealed by Criminal Justice Act 1982 (c. 48, SIF 39:1), s. 78, Sch. 16

F5 Words inserted by Criminal Justice Act 1982 (c. 48, SIF 39:1), s. 58, Sch. 8 para. 2(d)