Abolition of enhanced penalties for offences punishable on summary conviction only

Enhanced penalties under Acts and Order9

1

Subject to paragraph (3), this Article applies where under a relevant provision a person convicted of an offence punishable on summary conviction only—

a

is liable to a fine or maximum fine of one amount in the case of a first conviction and of a different amount in the case of a second or subsequent conviction; or

b

is liable to imprisonment for a longer term in the case of a second or subsequent conviction; or

c

is only liable to imprisonment in the case of a second or subsequent conviction.

2

Where this Article applies, a person guilty of such an offence shall be liable on summary conviction—

a

to a fine or, as the case may be, a maximum fine of an amount not exceeding the greatest amount;

b

to imprisonment for a term not exceeding the longest or only term.

to which he would have been liable before this Article came into force if his conviction had satisfied the conditions required for the imposition of a fine or maximum fine of that amount or imprisonment for that term.

3

This Article does not apply to offences under section 13 of the [1885 c. 69] Criminal Law Amendment Act 1885 (brothel-keeping).

4

In this Article “relevant provision” means a provision contained in—

a

an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom;

b

an Act of the Parliament of Ireland;

c

an Act of the Parliament of Northern Ireland;

d

an Order in Council under section 1(3) of the [1972 c. 22] Northern Ireland (Temporary Provisions) Act 1972; or

e

an Order in Council under Schedule 1 to the [1974 c. 28] Northern Ireland Act 1974.