Children and Young Persons Act 1933

Offences E+W

1 Cruelty to persons under sixteen. E+W

(1) If any person who has attained the age of sixteen years and [F1 has responsibility for] any child or young person under that age, wilfully assaults, ill-treats [F2 (whether physically or otherwise)], neglects, abandons, or exposes him, or causes or procures him to be assaulted, ill-treated [F3 (whether physically or otherwise)], neglected, abandoned, or exposed, in a manner likely to cause him unnecessary suffering or injury to health [F4 (whether the suffering or injury is of a physical or a psychological nature)], that person shall be guilty of [F5 an offence], and shall be liable—

(a) on conviction on indictment, to a fine . . . F6 or alternatively, . . . F7 , or in addition thereto, to imprisonment for any term not exceeding [F8 ten] years;

(b) on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding [F9 £400] pounds, or alternatively, . . . F7 , or in addition thereto, to imprisonment for any term not exceeding six months.

(2) For the purposes of this section—

(a) a parent or other person legally liable to maintain a child or young person [F10 , or the legal guardian of a child or young person,] shall be deemed to have neglected him in a manner likely to cause injury to his health if he has failed to provide adequate food, clothing, medical aid or lodging for him, or if, having been unable otherwise to provide such food, clothing, medical aid or lodging, he has failed to take steps to procure it to be provided under [F11 the enactments applicable in that behalf];

(b) where it is proved that the death of an infant under three years of age was caused by suffocation (not being suffocation caused by disease or the presence of any foreign body in the throat or air passages of the infant) while the infant was in bed with some other person who has attained the age of sixteen years, that other person shall, if he was, when he went to bed [F12 or at any later time before the suffocation], under the influence of drink [F13 or a prohibited drug], be deemed to have neglected the infant in a manner likely to cause injury to its health.

[F14 (2A) The reference in subsection (2)(b) to the infant being “in bed” with another (“the adult”) includes a reference to the infant lying next to the adult in or on any kind of furniture or surface being used by the adult for the purpose of sleeping (and the reference to the time when the adult “went to bed” is to be read accordingly).

(2B) A drug is a prohibited drug for the purposes of subsection (2)(b) in relation to a person if the person's possession of the drug immediately before taking it constituted an offence under section 5(2) of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.]

(3) A person may be convicted of an offence under this section—

(a) notwithstanding that actual suffering or injury to health, or the likelihood of actual suffering or injury to health, was obviated by the action of another person;

(b) notwithstanding the death of the child or young person in question.

(4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F15

(5),(6) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F16

(7) F17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F1 Words in s. 1(1) substituted (14. 10. 1991) by Children Act 1989 (c. 41, SIF 20), s. 108(5)(6), Sch. 13 para. 2 (with Sch. 14 para. 1(1)); S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2).

F2 Words in s. 1(1) inserted (3.5.2015) by Serious Crime Act 2015 (c. 9), ss. 66(2)(a), 88(1) (with s. 86(10)); S.I. 2015/820, reg. 2(k)

F3 Words in s. 1(1) inserted (3.5.2015) by Serious Crime Act 2015 (c. 9), ss. 66(2)(b), 88(1) (with s. 86(10)); S.I. 2015/820, reg. 2(k)

F4 Words in s. 1(1) substituted (3.5.2015) by Serious Crime Act 2015 (c. 9), ss. 66(3), 88(1) (with s. 86(10)); S.I. 2015/820, reg. 2(k)

F5 Words in s. 1(1) substituted (3.5.2015) by Serious Crime Act 2015 (c. 9), ss. 66(4), 88(1) (with s. 86(10)); S.I. 2015/820, reg. 2(k)

F6 Words repealed by Children Act 1975 (c. 72), Sch. 4 Pt. III

F7 Words repealed by Children and Young Persons Act 1963 (c. 37), s. 64, Sch. 5

F8 Word substituted by Criminal Justice Act 1988 (c. 33, SIF 39:1), s. 45(1)(2)

F9 Words substituted by Children Act 1975 (c. 72), Sch. 3 para. 1

F10 Words in s. 1(2)(a) inserted (14. 10. 1991) by Children Act 1989 (c. 41, SIF 20), s. 108(4)(6), Sch. 12 para. 2 (with Sch. 14 para. 1(1)); S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2).

F11 Words substituted by S.I. 1951/174 (1951 I, p. 1369), Sch.

F12 Words in s. 1(2)(b) inserted (3.5.2015) by Serious Crime Act 2015 (c. 9), ss. 66(5)(a), 88(1) (with s. 86(10)); S.I. 2015/820, reg. 2(k)

F13 Words in s. 1(2)(b) inserted (3.5.2015) by Serious Crime Act 2015 (c. 9), ss. 66(5)(b), 88(1) (with s. 86(10)); S.I. 2015/820, reg. 2(k)

F14 S. 1(2A)(2B) inserted (3.5.2015) by Serious Crime Act 2015 (c. 9), ss. 66(6), 88(1) (with s. 86(10)); S.I. 2015/820, reg. 2(k)

F15 S. 1(4) repealed by Criminal Law Act 1967 (c. 58), s. 12, Sch. 3 Pt. III

F16 S. 1(5)(6) repealed by Criminal Justice Act 1988 (c. 33, SIF 39:1), s. 170(2), Sch. 16

F17 S. 1(7) repealed (15.1.2005) by Children Act 2004 (c. 31), ss. 58(5), 64, 67(7)(f), Sch. 5 Pt. 5

2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F18 E+W

Textual Amendments

F18 Ss. 2, 3(2) repealed by Sexual Offences Act 1956 (c. 69). s. 52, Sch. 4

3 Allowing persons under sixteen to be in brothels. E+W

(1) If any person having [F19 responsibility for] a child or young person who has attained the age of four years and is under the age of sixteen years, allows that child or young person to reside in or to frequent a brothel, he shall be [F20 liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding [F21 level 2 on the standard scale]], or alternatively . . . F22 or in addition thereto, to imprisonment for any term not exceeding six months.

(2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F23

Textual Amendments

F19 Words in s. 3(1) substituted (14. 10. 1991) by Children Act 1989 (c. 41, SIF 20), s. 108(5)(6), Sch. 13 para. 3(a) (with Sch. 14 para. 1(1)); S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2).

F20 Words substituted by Criminal Law Act 1977 (c. 45), Sch. 1 para. 4

F21 Words substituted by virtue of Criminal Justice Act 1982 (c. 48, SIF 39:1), s. 46

F22 Words repealed by Children and Young Persons Act 1963 (c. 37), s. 64, Sch. 5

F23 S. 3(2) repealed by Sexual Offences Act 1956 (c. 69). s. 52, Sch. 4

4 Causing or allowing persons under sixteen to be used for begging. E+W

(1) If any person causes or procures any child or young person under the age of sixteen years or, having [F24 responsibility for] such a child or young person, allows him to be in any street, premises, or place for the purpose of begging or receiving alms, or of inducing the giving of alms (whether or not there is any pretence of singing, playing, performing, offering anything for sale, or otherwise) he shall, on summary conviction, be liable to a fine not exceeding [F25 level 2 on the standard scale], or alternatively, . . . F26 or in addition thereto, to imprisonment for any term not exceeding three months.

(2) If a person having [F24 responsibility for] a child or young person is charged with an offence under this section, and it is proved that the child or young person was in any street, premises, or place for any such purpose as aforesaid, and that the person charged allowed the child or young person to be in the street, premises, or place, he shall be presumed to have allowed him to be in the street, premises, or place for that purpose unless the contrary is proved.

(3) If any person while singing, playing, performing or offering anything for sale in a street or public place has with him a child who has been lent or hired out to him, the child shall, for the purposes of this section, be deemed to be in that street or place for the purpose of inducing the giving of alms.

Textual Amendments

F24 Words in s. 4(1)(2) substituted (14. 10. 1991) by Children Act 1989 (c. 41, SIF 20), s. 108(5)(6), Sch. 13 para. 3(b) (with Sch. 14 para. 1(1)); S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2).

F25 Words substituted by virtue of Criminal Justice Act 1982 (c. 48, SIF 39:1), s. 46

F26 Words repealed by Children and Young Persons Act 1963 (c. 37), s. 64, Sch. 5

5 Giving intoxicating liquor to children under five. E+W

If any person gives, or causes to be given, to any child under the age of five years any [F27 alcohol (within the meaning given by section 191 of the Licensing Act 2003, but disregarding subsection (1)(f) to (i) of that section)], except upon the order of a duly qualified medical practitioner, or in case of sickness, apprehended sickness, or other urgent cause, he shall, on summary conviction, be liable to a fine not exceeding [F28 level 1 on the standard scale].

Textual Amendments

F27 Words in s. 5 substituted (24.11.2005) by Licensing Act 2003 (c. 17), ss. 198, 201, Sch. 6 para. 13 (with ss. 2(3), 15(2), 195); S.I. 2005/3056, art. 2(2)

F28 Words substituted by virtue of Criminal Justice Act 1982 (c. 48, SIF 39:1), s. 46

6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F29 E+W

Textual Amendments

F29 S. 6 repealed by Licensing Act 1953 (c. 46), Sch. 10

7 Sale of tobacco, &c. to persons under [F30 eighteen]. E+W

(1) Any person who sells to a person [F31 . . .] under the age of [F32 eighteen] years any tobacco or cigarette papers, whether for his own use or not, shall be liable, [F33 on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 4 on the standard scale.]

F34 [(1A) It shall be a defence for a person charged with an offence under subsection (1) above to prove that he took all reasonable precautions and exercised all due diligence to avoid the commission of the offence.]

(2) If on complaint to a [F35 magistrates' court] it is proved to the satisfaction of the court that any automatic machine for the sale of tobacco kept on any premises [F36 has been used by any person] under the age of [F32 eighteen] years, the court [F37 shall] order the owner of the machine, or the person on whose premises the machine is kept, to take such precautions to prevent the machine being so used as may be specified in the order or, if necessary, to remove the machine, within such time as may be specified in the order, and if any person against whom such an order has been made fails to comply therewith, he shall be liable, on summary conviction, [F38 to a fine not exceeding level 4 on the standard scale.]

(3) It shall be the duty of a constable and of a park-keeper being in uniform to seize any tobacco or cigarette papers in the possession of any person apparently under the age of sixteen years whom he finds smoking in any street or public place, and any tobacco or cigarette papers so seized shall be disposed of, if seized by a constable, in such manner as the [F39 local policing body] may direct, and if seized by a park-keeper, in such manner as the authority or person by whom he was appointed may direct.

(4) Nothing in this section shall make it an offence to sell tobacco or cigarette papers to, or shall authorise the seizure of tobacco or cigarette papers in the possession of, any person who is at the time employed by a manufacturer of or dealer in tobacco, either wholesale or retail, for the purposes of his business, or is a boy messenger in uniform in the employment of a messenger company and employed as such at the time.

(5) For the purposes of this section the expression “tobacco” includes cigarettes [F40 any product containing tobacco and intended for oral or nasal use] and smoking mixtures intended as a substitute for tobacco, and the expression “cigarettes” includes cut tobacco rolled up in paper, tobacco leaf, or other material in such form as to be capable of immediate use for smoking.

Textual Amendments

F30 Word in s. 7 sidenote substituted (1.10.2007) by The Children and Young Persons (Sale of Tobacco etc.) Order 2007 (S.I. 2007/767), art. 2(a) (with effect as mentioned in art. 1)

F31 Word in s. 7(1) omitted (1.3.1992) by virtue of Children and Young Persons (Protection from Tobacco) Act 1991 (c. 23, SIF 20), s. 1(2)(a), (with s. 8(3)); S.I. 1992/332, art. 2

F32 Word in s. 7(1)(2) substituted (1.10.2007) by The Children and Young Persons (Sale of Tobacco etc.) Order 2007 (S.I. 2007/767), art. 2(a) (with effect as mentioned in art. 1)

F33 Words in s. 7(1) substituted (1.3.1992) by Children and Young Persons (Protection from Tobacco) Act 1991 (c. 23, SIF 20), s. 1(2)(b), (with s. 8(3)); S.I. 1992/332, art. 2

F34 S. 7(1A) inserted (1.3.1992) by Children and Young Persons (Protection from Tobacco) Act 1991 (c. 23, SIF 20), s. 1(3), (with s. 8(3)); S.I. 1992/332, art.2

F35 Words in s. 7(2) substituted (1.4.2005) by Courts Act 2003 (c. 39), ss. 109(1), 110, Sch. 8 para. 72; S.I. 2005/910, art. 3(bb)

F36 Words in s. 7(2) substituted (1.3.1992) by Children and Young Persons (Protection from Tobacco) Act 1991 (c. 23, SIF 20), s. 1(4)(a), (with s. 8(3)(4)); S.I. 1992/332, art.2

F37 Word substituted by Protection of Children (Tobacco) Act 1986 (c. 34, SIF 20), s. 1(1)(b)(2)

F38 Words in s. 7(2) substituted (1.3.1992) by Children and Young Persons (Protection from Tobacco) Act 1991 (c. 23, SIF 20), s. 1(4)(b), (with s. 8(3)(4)); S.I. 1992/332, art. 2

F39 Words in s. 7(3) substituted (16.1.2012) by Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 (c. 13), s. 157(1), Sch. 16 para. 67; S.I. 2011/3019, art. 3, Sch. 1

F40 Words inserted by Protection of Children (Tobacco) Act 1986 (c. 34, SIF 20), s. 1(1)(c)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 In s. 7: definition of "tobacco" applied (20.2.1993) by Children and Young Persons (Protection from Tobacco) Act 1991 (c. 23, SIF 20), s. 4(8); S.I. 1992/3227, art. 2(2).

C2 S. 7: power to amend conferred (19.7.2006 for specified purposes and otherwise 1.7.2007) by Health Act 2006 (c. 28), ss. 13, 83; S.I. 2007/1375, art. 2(a)

C3 Criminal Justice Act 1982 (c. 48, SIF 39:1), ss. 35 (in relation to liability on first and subsequent convictions), 38 (increase of fines) and 46 (substitution of references to levels on the standard scale) apply (E.W.)

C4 S. 7(2) saved (1.3.1992) by Children and Young Persons (Protection from Tobacco) Act 1991 (c. 23, SIF 20), s. 8(5); S.I. 1992/332, art. 2

8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F41 E+W

Textual Amendments

F41 S. 8 repealed by Consumer Credit Act 1974 (c. 39), s. 192(1)(4), Sch. 5

9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F42 E+W

Textual Amendments

F42 S. 9 repealed by Scrap Metal Dealers Act 1964 (c. 69), Sch. Pt. I

F43 10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . E+W

Textual Amendments

F43 S. 10 repealed (1.10.1993) by 1993 c.35, ss. 303(4), 307(1)(3), Sch. 19, para. 1, Sch. 21 Pt.I; S.I. 1993/1975, art. 9, Sch. 1Appendix.

11 †Exposing children under seven to risk of burning. E+W

If any person who has attained the age of sixteen years, having [F44 responsibility for] any child under the age of [F45 twelve] years, allows the child to be in any room containing an open fire grate [F46 or any heating appliance liable to cause injury to a person by contact therewith] not sufficiently protected to guard against the risk of his being burnt or scalded without taking reasonable precautions against that risk, and by reason thereof the child is killed or suffers serious injury, he shall on summary conviction be liable to a fine not exceeding [F47 level 1 on the standard scale]:

Provided that neither this section, not any proceedings taken thereunder, shall affect any liability of any such person to be proceeded against by indictment for any indictable offence.

Textual Amendments

F44 Words in s. 11 substituted (14. 10. 1991) by Children Act 1989 (c. 41, SIF 20), s. 108(5)(6), Sch. 13 para. 3(c) (with Sch. 14 para. 1(1)); S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2).

F45 Word substituted by Children and Young Persons (Amendment) Act 1952 (c. 50), Sch. para. 1(a)

F46 Words inserted by Children and Young Persons (Amendment) Act 1952 (c. 50), Sch. para. 1(b)

F47 Words substituted by virtue of Criminal Justice Act 1982 (c. 48, SIF 39:1), s. 46

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C5 Unreliable marginal note.

C6 Words in s. 11 substituted by 1952 c. 50, continued to have effect (5.11.1993) by 1993 c. 50, s. 1(2), Sch. 2 Pt. II para. 23.

12 Failing to provide for safety of children at entertainments. E+W

(1) Where there is provided in any building an entertainment for children, or an entertainment at which the majority of the persons attending are children, then, if the number of children attending the entertainment exceeds one hundred, it shall be the duty of the person providing the entertainment to station and keep stationed wherever necessary a sufficient number of adult attendants, properly instructed as to their duties, to prevent more children or other persons being admitted to the building, or to any part thereof, than the building or part can properly accommodate, and to control the movement of the children and other persons admitted while entering and leaving the building or any part thereof, and to take all other reasonable precautions for the safety of the children.

(2) Where the occupier of a building permits, for hire or reward, the building to be used for the purpose of an entertainment, he shall take all reasonable steps to secure the observance of the provisions of this section.

(3) If any person on whom any obligation is imposed by this section fails to fulfil that obligation, he shall be liable, on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding, in the case of a first offence fifty pounds, and in the case of a second or subsequent offence one hundred pounds F48 . . . .

(4) A constable may enter any building in which he has reason to believe that such an entertainment as aforesaid is being, or is about to be, provided, with a view to seeing whether the provisions of this section are carried into effect, and an officer authorised for the purpose by an authority by whom licences are granted under any of the enactments referred to in the last foregoing subsection shall have the like power of entering any building so licensed by that authority.

(5) The institution of proceedings under this section shall—

[F49 (a) in the case of a building in respect of which a premises licence authorising the provision of regulated entertainment has effect, be the duty of the relevant licensing authority;]

(b) in any other case, be the duty of the [F50 chief officer of police].

[F51 (5A) For the purposes of this section—

(a) “premises licence” and “the provision of regulated entertainment” have the meaning given by the Licensing Act 2003, and

(b) “the relevant licensing authority”, in relation to a building in respect of which a premises licence has effect, means the relevant licensing authority in relation to that building under section 12 of that Act.]

(6) This section shall not apply to any entertainment given in a private dwelling-house.

Textual Amendments

F48 Words in s. 12(3) repealed (24.11.2005) by Licensing Act 2003 (c. 17), ss. 198, 199, Sch. 6 para. 14(a), Sch. 7 (with ss. 2(3), 15(2), 195); S.I. 2005/3056, art. 2(2)

F49 S. 12(5)(a) substituted (24.11.2005) by Licensing Act 2003 (c. 17), ss. 198, 199, Sch. 6 para. 14(b) (with ss. 2(3), 15(2), 195); S.I. 2005/3056, art. 2(2)

F50 Words in s. 12(5)(b) substituted (16.1.2012) by Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 (c. 13), s. 157(1), Sch. 16 para. 68; S.I. 2011/3019, art. 3, Sch. 1

F51 S. 12(5A) inserted (24.11.2005) by Licensing Act 2003 (c. 17), ss. 198, 199, Sch. 6 para. 14(c) (with ss. 2(3), 15(2), 195); S.I. 2005/3056, art. 2(2)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C7 S. 12: functions of local authority not to be the responsibility of an executive of the authority (E.) (16.11.2000) by virtue of S.I. 2000/2853, reg. 2(1), Sch. 1 B1 35

C8 Criminal Justice Act 1982 (c. 48, SIF 39:1), ss. 35 (in relation to liability on first and subsequent convictions), 38 (increase of fines) and 46 (substitution of references to levels on the standard scale) apply (E.W.)