(1)Subject to the following provisions of this Part of this Act, and to section 132 below and section 19 of the [1973 c. 62.] Powers of Criminal Courts Act 1973, where default is made in paying a sum adjudged to be paid by a conviction or order of a magistrates' court, the court may issue a warrant of distress for the purpose of levying the sum or issue a warrant committing the defaulter to prison.
(2)A warrant of commitment may be issued as aforesaid either—
(a)where it appears on the return to a warrant of distress that the money and goods of the defaulter are insufficient to satisfy the sum with the costs and charges of levying the sum ; or
(b)instead of a warrant of distress.
(3)The period for which a person may be committed to prison under such a warrant as aforesaid shall not, subject to the provisions of any enactment passed after 31st December 1879, exceed the period applicable to the case under Schedule 4 to this Act.