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Sexual Offences Act 1956
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Changes over time for: Cross Heading: Abduction
Version Superseded: 14/10/1991
Alternative versions:
- 01/02/1991- Amendment
- 01/02/1991
Point in time - 14/10/1991- Amendment
- 01/05/2004- Amendment
Status:
Point in time view as at 01/02/1991.
Changes to legislation:
There are currently no known outstanding effects for the Sexual Offences Act 1956, Cross Heading: Abduction.
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AbductionE+W
17 Abduction of woman by force or for the sake of her property.E+W
(1)It is felony for a person to take away or detain a woman against her will with the intention that she shall marry or have unlawful sexual intercourse with that or any other person, if she is so taken away or detained either by force or for the sake of her property or expectations of property.
(2)In the foregoing subsection, the reference to a woman’s expectations of property relates only to property of a person to whom she is next of kin or one of the next of kin, and “property” includes any interest in property.
18. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F1E+W
Textual Amendments
F1S. 18 repealed by Family Law Reform Act 1969 (c. 46), s. 11
19 Abduction of unmarried girl under eighteen from parent or guardian.E+W
(1)It is an offence, subject to the exception mentioned in this section, for a person to take an unmarried girl under the age of eighteen out of the possession of her parent or guardian against his will, if she is so taken with the intention that she shall have unlawful sexual intercourse with men or with a particular man.
(2)A person is not guilty of an offence under this section because he takes such a girl out of the possession of her parent or guardian as mentioned above, if he believes her to be of the age of eighteen or over and has reasonable cause for the belief.
(3)In this section “guardian” means any person having [F2the lawful care or charge of][F2parental responsibility for or care of] the girl.
Textual Amendments
F2Words beginning “parental...” substituted (prosp.) for words “the lawful care or charge of” by Children Act 1989 (c. 41, SIF 20), s. 108(2)(4), Sch. 12 para. 11
20 Abduction of unmarried girl under sixteen from parent or guardian.E+W
(1)It is an offence for a person acting without lawful authority or excuse to take an unmarried girl under the age of sixteen out of the possession of her parent or guardian against his will.
(2)In the foregoing subsection “guardian” means any person having [F3the lawful care or charge of][F3parental responsibility for or care of] the girl.
Textual Amendments
F3Words beginning “parental...” substituted (prosp.) for words “the lawful care or charge of” by Children Act 1989 (c. 41, SIF 20), s. 108(2)(4), Sch. 12 para. 12
21 Abduction of defective from parent or guardian.E+W
(1)It is an offence, subject to the exception mentioned in this section, for a person to take a woman who is a defective out of the possession of her parent or guardian against his will, if she is so taken with the intention that she shall have unlawful sexual intercourse with men or with a particular man.
(2)A person is not guilty of an offence under this section because he takes such a woman out of the possession of her parent or guardian as mentioned above, if he does not know and has no reason to suspect her to be a defective.
(3)In this section “guardian” means any person having [F4the lawful care or charge of][F4parental responsibility for or care of] the woman.
Textual Amendments
F4Words beginning “parental...” substituted (prosp.) for words “the lawful care or charge of” by Children Act 1989 (c. 41, SIF 20), s. 108(2)(4), Sch. 12 para. 13
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