Section 103 Duty not to interfere with or misuse certain things provided under statutory requirementsI1

(1)

It is an offence intentionally or recklessly to interfere with or misuse anything provided in the interests of health, safety or welfare in pursuance of any of the relevant statutory provisions.

(2)

A person who commits an offence under this section is liable—

(a)

on summary conviction—

(i)

to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months (in England and Wales or Scotland) or 6 months (in Northern Ireland),

(ii)

to a fine (in England and Wales) or a fine not exceeding £20,000 (in Scotland or Northern Ireland), or

(iii)

to both;

(b)

on conviction on indictment—

(i)

to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 2 years,

(ii)

to a fine, or

(iii)

to both.

F1(3)

In the application of this section in England and Wales, the reference in subsection (2)(a)(i) to 12 months is to be read as a reference to the general limit in a magistrates’ court (or to 6 months in relation to an offence committed before 2 May 2022).

Annotations

Textual amendments

F1: S. 103(3) substituted (7.2.2023 at 12.00 p.m.) by The Judicial Review and Courts Act 2022 (Magistrates’ Court Sentencing Powers) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/149), regs. 1(2), 26(3)

Commencement

I1: S. 103 in force at 1.4.2014 by S.I. 2014/251, art. 4