PART IVGeneral and Supplementary.
Miscellaneous.
51Failure to maintain.
1
Where a person persistently refuses or neglects to maintain himself or any person whom he is liable to maintain for the purposes of this Act, and in consequence of his refusal or neglect assistance under Part II of this Act is given to, or accommodation under Part III thereof is provided for, himself or any other person, he shall be guilty of an offence.
2
For the purposes of this section, a person shall not be deemed to refuse or neglect to maintain himself or any other person by reason only of anything done or omitted in furtherance of a trade dispute.
3
A person guilty of an offence under this section shall be liable on summary conviction—
a
where the assistance was given to him, pr the accommodation provided for him, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months;
b
in any other case, to a fine not exceeding fifty pounds or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months or to both such imprisonment and such fine.