Section 66 Offences of impeding investigationI1

England, Wales and Scotland Not yet in force

(1)

A person commits an offence if the person—

(a)

intentionally obstructs a person in the exercise of the powers conferred by or under section 63, 64 or 65,

(b)

fails, without reasonable excuse, to comply with a requirement made of the person in the exercise of those powers, or

(c)

in response to such a requirement, makes a statement that is false or misleading in a material respect, knowing it to be so or being reckless as to whether it is.

(2)

A person commits an offence if the person impersonates an inspector and purports to be carrying out an investigation.

(3)

A person commits an offence if the person fails to comply with a direction under section 65.

(4)

A person who commits an offence under subsection (1) or (2) is liable—

(a)

on summary conviction in England or Wales, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding the general limit in a magistrates’ court or a fine (or both);

(b)

on summary conviction in Scotland, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum (or both);

(c)

on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 2 years or a fine (or both).

(5)

A person who commits an offence under subsection (3) is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale.

(6)

Schedule 4 makes amendments in connection with the offence in subsection (3).

Annotations

Commencement

I1: S. 66 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 99(1)