Part 1U.K.Offences

MutinyU.K.

6MutinyU.K.

(1)A person subject to service law commits an offence if he takes part in a mutiny.

(2)For the purposes of this section a person subject to service law takes part in a mutiny if—

(a)in concert with at least one other person subject to service law, he—

(i)acts with the intention of overthrowing or resisting authority; or

(ii)disobeys authority in such circumstances as to subvert discipline;

(b)he agrees with at least one other person subject to service law to overthrow or resist authority; or

(c)he agrees with at least one other person subject to service law to disobey authority, and the agreed disobedience would be such as to subvert discipline.

(3)For the purposes of subsection (2)—

(a)“authority” means lawful authority in any part of Her Majesty's forces or of any force co-operating with them;

(b)the reference to acting includes omitting to act.

(4)A person guilty of an offence under this section is liable to any punishment mentioned in the Table in section 164, and any sentence of imprisonment imposed in respect of the offence may be for life.

7Failure to suppress mutinyU.K.

(1)A person subject to service law commits an offence if—

(a)he knows that a mutiny is occurring or is intended; and

(b)he fails to take such steps as he could reasonably be expected to take to prevent or suppress it.

(2)For the purposes of this section a mutiny occurs when a person subject to service law, in concert with at least one other person subject to service law—

(a)acts with the intention of overthrowing or resisting authority; or

(b)disobeys authority in such circumstances as to subvert discipline.

(3)A person guilty of an offence under this section is liable to any punishment mentioned in the Table in section 164, and any sentence of imprisonment imposed in respect of the offence may be for life.