Section 53A Paying for sexual services of a prostitute subjected to force etc.F1

(1)

A person (A) commits an offence if—

(a)

A makes or promises payment for the sexual services of a prostitute (B),

(b)

a third person (C) has engaged in exploitative conduct of a kind likely to induce or encourage B to provide the sexual services for which A has made or promised payment, and

(c)

C engaged in that conduct for or in the expectation of gain for C or another person (apart from A or B).

(2)

The following are irrelevant—

(a)

where in the world the sexual services are to be provided and whether those services are provided,

(b)

whether A is, or ought to be, aware that C has engaged in exploitative conduct.

(3)

C engages in exploitative conduct if—

(a)

C uses force, threats (whether or not relating to violence) or any other form of coercion, or

(b)

C practises any form of deception.

(4)

A person guilty of an offence under this section is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale.

Annotations

Textual amendments

F1: S. 53A inserted (1.4.2010) by Policing and Crime Act 2009, {ss. 14}, 116(1); S.I. 2010/507, art. 5(a) (subject to art. 6)

Notes on Prostitution

Textual amendments

F1: Heading "becomes "Prostitution"" (1.4.2010) by virtue of Policing and Crime Act 2009 (c. 26), ss. {19}, 116(1); S.I. 2010/507, art. 5(f) (with transitional and savings provision in art. 6)