Section 47 Misleading messages

(1)

A person commits an offence if, by means of wireless telegraphy, he sends or attempts to send a message to which this section applies.

(2)

This section applies to a message which, to the person's knowledge—

(a)

is false or misleading; and

(b)

is likely to prejudice the efficiency of a safety of life service or to endanger the safety of a person or of a ship, aircraft or vehicle.

(3)

This section applies in particular to a message which, to the person's knowledge, falsely suggests that a ship or aircraft—

(a)

is in distress or in need of assistance; or

(b)

is not in distress or not in need of assistance.

(4)

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

(a)

on summary conviction, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding F1the general limit in a magistrates’ court or to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum or to both;

(b)

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

(5)

In the application of subsection (4) to Scotland or Northern Ireland the reference to 12 months is to be read as a reference to six months.

Annotations

Textual amendments

F1: Words in s. 47(4)(a) 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), 2(1), Sch. Pt. 1