{
  "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/sexual-offences-act-2003/section-69",
  "json_url": "https://openlegislation.uk/sexual-offences-act-2003/section-69.json",
  "legislation": "ukpga/2003/42",
  "legislation_title": "Sexual Offences Act 2003",
  "legislation_url": "https://openlegislation.uk/sexual-offences-act-2003",
  "path": "section/69",
  "kind": "section",
  "number": "69",
  "heading": "Sexual activity with an animal",
  "text": "(1) A person commits an offence if—\n(a) the person intentionally touches an animal (whether living or dead),\n(b) the person knows that, or is reckless as to whether, that is what is touched, and\n(c) the touching is sexual.\n(2) For the purposes of this section, touching is sexual if a reasonable person would consider that—\n(a) because of its nature it may be sexual, and\n(b) because of its circumstances or the purpose of any person in relation to it (or both) it is sexual.\n(3) A person who commits an offence under this section is liable—\n(a) on summary conviction, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding the general limit in a magistrates’ court or a fine (or both);\n(b) on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 2 years.",
  "extent": null,
  "status": null,
  "version": "current",
  "annotations": [
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F1",
      "text": "Ss. 66-72 repealed (N.I.) (2.2.2009) by The Sexual Offences (Northern Ireland) Order 2008 (S.I. 2008/1769 (N.I. 2)), arts. 1, 78(e), Sch. 3 (with Sch. 2 para. 1) S.R. 2008/510, art. 2"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F2",
      "text": "S. 69 substituted (E.W.) (29.9.2026) by Crime and Policing Act 2026 (c. 20), ss. 114(2), 255(1); S.I. 2026/960, reg. 3(a)"
    }
  ],
  "outstanding_effects": [],
  "provenance": {
    "source": "legislation.gov.uk",
    "source_url": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2003/42/section/69",
    "retrieved_at": "2026-10-29T09:17:48.870823+00:00"
  },
  "licence": "Open Government Licence v3.0",
  "licence_url": "https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/",
  "attribution": "Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives."
}