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Sexual Offences Act 2003

Type Public General Act

Publication 2003-11-20

Last updated 2023-11-27

State In force

Department Statute Law Database

Source legislation.gov.uk

articles Not indexed

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(a) is residing in Northern Ireland, or

(b) is in or is intending to come to Northern Ireland.

(2) An application may be made to the appropriate court in Northern Ireland—

(a) by the defendant, or

(b) by the Chief Constable,

for an order varying , renewing or discharging the sexual risk order.

(3) Subject to subsections (3A) to (5B), on the application the court, after hearing the person making the application and the other person mentioned in subsection (2) (if that person wishes to be heard), may make any order varying , renewing or discharging the sexual risk order that the court considers appropriate.

(3A) In determining the application the court must have regard to—

(a) the time for which the defendant is likely to remain in Northern Ireland, and

(b) whether—

(i) in the case of a sexual risk order made by a court in England and Wales, the defendant is likely to return to, or to visit, England and Wales, or

(ii) in the case of a sexual risk order made by a court in Scotland, the defendant is likely to return to, or to visit, Scotland.

(4) An order may be renewed, or varied so as to impose additional prohibitions or requirements on the defendant , only if it is necessary to do so for the purpose of—

(a) protecting the public in Northern Ireland, or any particular members of the public in Northern Ireland, from harm from the defendant, or

(b) protecting children or vulnerable adults generally, or any particular children or vulnerable adults, from harm from the defendant outside the United Kingdom.

(5) An order as renewed or varied under this section may contain only such prohibitions and requirements as are necessary for the purpose of—

(a) protecting the public or any particular members of the public from harm from the defendant, or

(b) protecting children or vulnerable adults generally, or any particular children or vulnerable adults, from harm from the defendant outside the United Kingdom.

(5A) The court must not discharge a sexual risk order made by a court in England and Wales before the end of 2 years beginning with the day on which the order was made without the consent of the defendant and the Chief Constable.

(5B) The court must not discharge a sexual risk order made by a court in Scotland, or vary such an order so as to remove a prohibition or requirement, unless the order or, as the case may be, the prohibition or requirement is no longer necessary for the purpose of—

(a) protecting the public, or any particular members of the public, from harm from the defendant, or

(b) protecting children or vulnerable adults generally, or any particular children or vulnerable adults, from harm from the defendant outside the United Kingdom.

(6) The defendant may appeal against the making of an order under this section, or the refusal to make such an order, to a county court in Northern Ireland.

(7) On an appeal under subsection (6), the county court may make such orders as may be necessary to give effect to its determination of the appeal, and may also make such incidental or consequential orders as appear to it to be just.

(8) In this section—

“the appropriate court” means—where the defendant is aged 18 or over, any court of summary jurisdiction in Northern Ireland;where the defendant is aged under 18, any youth court in Northern Ireland;

“the Chief Constable” means the Chief Constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland;

“the defendant”, in relation to a sexual risk order made under section 27 of the Abusive Behaviour and Sexual Harm (Scotland) Act 2016 (asp 22), means the person against whom the order has effect;

“harm”, “child” and “vulnerable adult” each has the meaning given in section 122B(1);

“sexual risk order” includes a sexual risk order made under section 27 of the Abusive Behaviour and Sexual Harm (Scotland) Act 2016.

136BA

(1) A member of a police force not below the rank of superintendent (“the authorising officer”) may authorise the issue of a closure notice in respect of any premises in England and Wales if three conditions are met.

(2) The first condition is that the officer has reasonable grounds for believing that—

(a) during the relevant period, the premises were used for activities related to one or more specified child sex offences, or

(b) the premises are likely to be used (unless a closure order is made) for activities related to one or more specified child sex offences.

(3) In subsection (2)(a), “the relevant period” means the period of 3 months ending with the day on which the officer is considering whether to authorise the issue of the notice.

(4) The second condition is that the officer has reasonable grounds for believing that the making of a closure order under section 136D is necessary to prevent the premises being used for activities related to one or more specified child sex offences.

(5) For the purposes of the second condition, it does not matter whether the officer believes that the offence or offences in question have been committed or that they will be committed (or will be committed unless a closure order is made).

(6) The third condition is that the officer is satisfied that reasonable efforts have been made—

(a) to consult the local authority for the area in which the premises are situated, and

(b) to establish the identity of any person who resides on the premises or who has control of or responsibility for or an interest in the premises.

(7) If the local authority has not been consulted when the notice is issued, it must be consulted as soon as possible afterwards.

(8) An authorisation under subsection (1) may be given orally or in writing, but if it is given orally the authorising officer must confirm it in writing as soon as it is practicable.

(9) The issue of a closure notice may be authorised whether or not a person has been convicted of any specified child sex offence that the authorising officer believes has been committed.

(10) The Secretary of State may by regulations specify premises or descriptions of premises to which this section does not apply.

35C

An offence under section 69 of the Serious Crime Act 2015 (possession of paedophile manual) if the offender—

(a) was 18 or over, or

(b) is sentenced in respect of the offence to imprisonment for a term of at least 12 months.

92HA

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

92Y

An offence under section 69 of the Serious Crime Act 2015 (possession of paedophile manual) if the offender—

(a) was 18 or over, or

(b) is sentenced in respect of the offence to imprisonment for a term of at least 12 months.

63B

An offence under section 2 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 (human trafficking).

15A

(1) A person aged 18 or over (A) commits an offence if—

(a) for the purpose of obtaining sexual gratification, A intentionally communicates with another person (B),

(b) the communication is sexual or is intended to encourage B to make (whether to A or to another) a communication that is sexual, and

(2) For the purposes of this section, a communication is sexual if—

(a) any part of it relates to sexual activity, or

(b) a reasonable person would, in all the circumstances but regardless of any person's purpose, consider any part of the communication to be sexual;

and in paragraph (a) “sexual activity” means an activity that a reasonable person would, in all the circumstances but regardless of any person's purpose, consider to be sexual.

(3) A person guilty of an offence under this section is liable—

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

(b) on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 2 years.

24A

An offence under section 15A of this Act (sexual communication with a child).

67A

(1) A person (A) commits an offence if—

(a) A operates equipment beneath the clothing of another person (B),

(b) A does so with the intention of enabling A or another person (C), for a purpose mentioned in subsection (3), to observe—

(i) B's genitals or buttocks (whether exposed or covered with underwear), or

(ii) the underwear covering B's genitals or buttocks,

in circumstances where the genitals, buttocks or underwear would not otherwise be visible, and

(i) without B's consent, and

(ii) without reasonably believing that B consents.

(2) A person (A) commits an offence if—

(a) A records an image beneath the clothing of another person (B),

(b) the image is of—

(i) B's genitals or buttocks (whether exposed or covered with underwear), or

(ii) the underwear covering B's genitals or buttocks,

in circumstances where the genitals, buttocks or underwear would not otherwise be visible,

(c) A does so with the intention that A or another person (C) will look at the image for a purpose mentioned in subsection (3), and

(d) A does so—

(i) without B's consent, and

(ii) without reasonably believing that B consents.

(2A) A person (A) commits an offence if—

(a) A operates equipment,

(b) A does so with the intention of enabling A or another person (C), for a purpose mentioned in subsection (3), to observe another (B) while B is breast-feeding a child, and

(i) without B’s consent, and

(ii) without reasonably believing that B consents.

(2B) A person (A) commits an offence if—

(a) A records an image of another (B) while B is breast-feeding a child,

(b) A does so with the intention that A or another person (C) will look at the image for a purpose mentioned in subsection (3), and

(i) without B’s consent, and

(ii) without reasonably believing that B consents.

(3) The purposes referred to in subsections (1) to (2B) are—

(a) obtaining sexual gratification (whether for A or C);

(b) humiliating, alarming or distressing B.

(3A) In this section a reference to B breast-feeding a child includes B re-arranging B’s clothing—

(a) in the course of preparing to breast-feed the child, or

(b) having just finished breast-feeding the child.

(3B) It is irrelevant for the purposes of subsections (2A) and (2B)—

(a) whether or not B is in a public place while B is breast-feeding the child,

(b) whether or not B’s breasts are exposed while B is breast-feeding the child, and

(i) is, or is intended by A to be, visible in the recorded image, or

(ii) is intended by A to be observed.

(4) A person guilty of an offence under this section is liable—

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

(b) on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 2 years.

(5) In relation to an offence committed before 2 May 2022, the reference in subsection (4)(a) to the general limit in a magistrates’ court is to be read as a reference to 6 months.

34A

(1) An offence under section 67A of this Act (voyeurism: additional offences), if—

(a) the offence was committed for the purpose mentioned in section 67A(3)(a) (sexual gratification), and

(b) the relevant condition is met.

(2) Where the offender was under 18, the relevant condition is that the offender is or has been sentenced in respect of the offence to imprisonment for a term of at least 12 months.

(3) In any other case, the relevant condition is that—

(a) the victim was under 18, or

(b) the offender, in respect of the offence or finding, is or has been—

(i) sentenced to a term of imprisonment,

(ii) detained in a hospital, or

(iii) made the subject of a community sentence of at least 12 months.

1A

In relation to England and Wales, subsections (1) and (2) of section 72 also apply to an offence under any of sections 1 to 4 where the victim of the offence was 18 or over at the time of the offence.

171C

An offence under paragraph 1 of Schedule 4 to the Space Industry Act 2018 (hijacking of spacecraft).

171D

An offence under paragraph 2 of that Schedule (destroying, damaging or endangering the safety of spacecraft).

171E

An offence under paragraph 3 of that Schedule (other acts endangering or likely to endanger safety of spacecraft).

171F

An offence under paragraph 4 of that Schedule (endangering safety at spaceports).

171G

An offence under paragraph 5 of that Schedule (offences in relation to certain dangerous articles).

163A

An offence under Article 68 of the Children (Northern Ireland) Order 1995 (abduction of children in care, etc.).

22A

(1) For the purposes of sections 16 to 19, a person (A) is in a position of trust in relation to another person (B) if—

(a) A coaches, teaches, trains, supervises or instructs B, on a regular basis, in a sport or a religion, and

(b) A knows that they coach, teach, train, supervise or instruct B, on a regular basis, in that sport or religion.

(2) In subsection (1)—

“sport” includes—any game in which physical skill is the predominant factor, andany form of physical recreation which is also engaged in for purposes of competition or display;

“religion” includes—a religion which involves belief in more than one god, anda religion which does not involve belief in a god.

(3) This section does not apply where a person (A) is in a position of trust in relation to another person (B) by virtue of circumstances within section 21.

(4) The Secretary of State may by regulations amend subsections (1) and (2) to add or remove an activity in which a person may be coached, taught, trained, supervised or instructed.

63C

An offence under section 75A of the Serious Crime Act 2015 (strangulation or suffocation).

Offences outside the United Kingdom: notification requirements

96ZA

(1) Where this section applies to a person (“P”), P is subject to the notification requirements of this Part for the notification period set out in section 82.

This is subject to sections 96ZB (young offenders: parental notices) and 96ZC (modifications of notification requirements).

(2) This section applies to P if P has been given a notice under subsection (3) and that notice has not been cancelled.

(3) A constable may give a notice to P if—

(a) the conditions in subsections (6), (7) and (8) are met in respect of P, and

(b) an officer of at least the rank of inspector has authorised the giving of the notice to P.

(4) A notice given to P under subsection (3) must be given to P in person and must contain details of—

(a) the notifications that P is required to give under this Part,

(b) when those notifications must be given, and

(5) A notice given under subsection (3) may be cancelled by a constable giving notice in writing to P in person but such a cancellation must be authorised by an officer of at least the rank of inspector.

(6) The first condition is that under the law in force in a country outside the United Kingdom—

(a) P has been convicted of a relevant offence (whether or not P has been punished for it),

(b) a court exercising jurisdiction under that law has made in respect of a relevant offence a finding equivalent to a finding that P is not guilty by reason of insanity,

(c) such a court has made in respect of a relevant offence a finding equivalent to a finding that P is under a disability and did the act charged against P in respect of the offence, or

(d) P has been cautioned in respect of a relevant offence.

(7) The second condition is that—

(a) the first condition is met because of a conviction, finding or caution which occurred on or after 1 September 1997,

(b) the first condition is met because of a conviction or finding which occurred before that date, but P was dealt with in respect of the offence or finding on or after that date, or has yet to be dealt with in respect of it, or

(c) the first condition is met because of a conviction or finding which occurred before that date, but on that date P was, in respect of the offence or finding, subject under the law in force in the country concerned to detention, supervision or any other disposal equivalent to any of those mentioned in section 81(3) (read with sections 81(6) and 131).

(8) The third condition is that the period set out in section 82 (as it would have effect as modified by section 96ZC(2) and (3) if this section applied to P) in respect of the relevant offence has not expired.

(9) In this section and section 96ZC “relevant offence” means an act which—

(a) constituted an offence under the law in force in the country concerned, and

(b) would have constituted an offence listed in Schedule 3 (other than at paragraph 60) if it had been done in any part of the United Kingdom.

(10) For the purposes of subsection (9)(a), an act punishable under the law in force in a country outside the United Kingdom constitutes an offence under that law however it is described in that law.

96ZB

(1) Where the person (“P”) given a notice under section 96ZA is under 18 a constable may also give a notice (a “parental notice”) to a person (“the parent”) with parental responsibility for P.

(2) Subsections (3)(b) to (5) of section 96ZA apply to the giving of a parental notice as if references to P were references to the parent.

(3) If a parental notice has been given to the parent and has not been cancelled or ceased to have effect—

(a) the obligations that would (apart from this subsection) be imposed by virtue of section 96ZA on P are to be treated instead as obligations on the parent, and

(b) the parent must ensure that P attends with them at the police station when a notification under this Part is being given.

(4) The parental notice ceases to have effect when P reaches the age of 18.

(5) If a parental notice is to be given, section 96ZA(4)(a) has effect in relation to the notice given to P as if the reference to the notifications that P is required to give under this Part were a reference to—

(a) the notifications that the parent is required to give under this Part, and

(b) the notifications (if any) that P is required to give under this Part once the parental notice ceases to have effect.

96ZC

(1) The application of this Part to a person (“P”) to whom section 96ZA applies in respect of a conviction, finding or caution is subject to the modifications set out in this section.

(2) References to the “relevant date”—

(a) in a case where P is within section 96ZA(6)(a), are to the date of the conviction,

(b) in a case where P is within section 96ZA(6)(b) or (c), are to the date of the finding, and

(3) In section 82—

(a) references, except in the Table, to a person (or relevant offender) within any provision of section 80 are to be read as references to P;

(b) the reference in the Table to section 80(1)(d) is to be read as a reference to section 96ZA(6)(d);

(c) references to an order of any description are to be read as references to any corresponding disposal made in relation to P in respect of an offence or finding by reference to which a notice has been given to P under section 96ZA;

(d) the reference to offences listed in Schedule 3 is to be read as a reference to relevant offences (see section 96ZA(9)).

(4) Section 83 has effect as if after subsection (1) there were inserted—

(1A) In the case of a relevant offender who is subject to the notification requirements of this Part by virtue of a notice being given to the relevant offender under section 96ZA, the reference in subsection (1) to the period of 3 days beginning with the relevant date (or if later the commencement of this Part) is to be read as a reference to the period of 3 days beginning with the day on which the notice was given to the relevant offender.

(5) Section 83(4) has effect as if—

(a) for the words “Where a notification order is made” there were substituted “Where a relevant offender is subject to the notification requirements of this Part by virtue of a notice given under section 96ZA”, and

(b) in paragraph (a) for the words “the order was made” there were substituted “the notice was given to the relevant offender”.

96ZD

(1) A person (“P”) may appeal to a magistrates’ court against the decision to give them a notice under section 96ZA.

(2) The grounds for bringing an appeal under subsection (1) include—

(a) that one or more of the conditions for the giving of the notice were not met in respect of P at the time the notice was given;

(b) that the conviction, finding or caution by reason of which P was given the notice falls within subsection (3).

(3) A conviction, finding or caution falls within this subsection if—

(a) any investigations or proceedings leading to it were conducted in a way which contravened any of the Convention rights (within the meaning of section 1 of the Human Rights Act 1998) which P would have had if those investigations or proceedings had taken place in the United Kingdom, and

(b) that contravention was such that the conviction, finding or caution cannot be safely relied on for the purposes of meeting the condition in section 96ZA(6).

(4) A person (“the parent”) may appeal to a magistrates’ court against the decision to give them a parental notice under section 96ZB.

(5) The grounds for bringing an appeal under subsection (4) include—

(a) that one or more of the conditions for the giving of a notice under section 96ZA to the person (“P”) for whom the parent has parental responsibility were not met in respect of P at the time the notice under section 96ZA was given;

(b) that the conviction, finding or caution by reason of which P was given a notice under section 96ZA falls within subsection (3);

(c) that one or more of the requirements for giving the parent a parental notice under section 96ZB were not met at the time the parental notice was given.

(6) On an appeal under subsection (1) or (4) a magistrates’ court may cancel or confirm the notice which is the subject of the appeal.

103CA

(1) A sexual harm prevention order that imposes a requirement to do something on a defendant must specify a person who is to be responsible for supervising compliance with the requirement.

The person may be an individual or an organisation.

(2) Before including such a requirement in a sexual harm prevention order, the court must receive evidence about its suitability and enforceability from—

(a) the individual to be specified under subsection (1), if an individual is to be specified;

(b) an individual representing the organisation to be specified under subsection (1), if an organisation is to be specified.

(3) Subsections (1) and (2) do not apply in relation to electronic monitoring requirements (see instead section 103FA(5) and (6)).

(4) It is the duty of a person specified under subsection (1)—

(a) to make any necessary arrangements in connection with the requirements for which the person has responsibility (“the relevant requirements”);

(b) to promote the defendant’s compliance with the relevant requirements;

(i) the defendant has complied with all the relevant requirements, or

(ii) the defendant has failed to comply with a relevant requirement,

to inform the appropriate chief officer of police.

(5) In subsection (4)(c) the “appropriate chief officer of police means—

(a) the chief officer of police for the police area in which it appears to the person specified under subsection (1) that the defendant resides, or

(b) if it appears to that person that the defendant resides in more than one police area, whichever of the chief officers of police of those areas the person thinks it is most appropriate to inform.

(6) A defendant subject to a requirement imposed by a sexual harm prevention order must—

(a) keep in touch with the person specified under subsection (1) in relation to that requirement, in accordance with any instructions given by that person from time to time, and

(b) notify that person of any change of the defendant’s home address.

These obligations have effect as requirements of the order.

122BA

(1) A sexual risk order that imposes a requirement to do something on a defendant must specify a person who is to be responsible for supervising compliance with the requirement.

The person may be an individual or an organisation.

(2) Before including such a requirement in a sexual risk order, the court must receive evidence about its suitability and enforceability from—

(a) the individual to be specified under subsection (1), if an individual is to be specified;

(b) an individual representing the organisation to be specified under subsection (1), if an organisation is to be specified.

(3) Subsections (1) and (2) do not apply in relation to electronic monitoring requirements (see instead section 122EA(5) and (6)).

(4) It is the duty of a person specified under subsection (1)—

(a) to make any necessary arrangements in connection with the requirements for which the person has responsibility (“the relevant requirements”);

(b) to promote the defendant’s compliance with the relevant requirements;

(i) the defendant has complied with all the relevant requirements, or

(ii) the defendant has failed to comply with a relevant requirement,

to inform the appropriate chief officer of police.

(5) In subsection (4)(c) the “appropriate chief officer of police means—

(a) the chief officer of police for the police area in which it appears to the person specified under subsection (1) that the defendant resides, or

(b) if it appears to that person that the defendant resides in more than one police area, whichever of the chief officers of police of those areas the person thinks it is most appropriate to inform.

(6) A defendant subject to a requirement imposed by a sexual risk order must—

(a) keep in touch with the person specified under subsection (1) in relation to that requirement, in accordance with any instructions given by that person from time to time, and

(b) notify that person of any change of the defendant’s home address.

These obligations have effect as requirements of the order.

136ZE

(1) This section applies where a relevant order has been made in respect of a person who now—

(a) is residing in Scotland, or

(b) is in or is intending to come to Scotland.

(2) In this section “relevant order” means—

(a) a sexual harm prevention order,

(b) a sexual offences prevention order, or

(3) An application may be made to the appropriate sheriff in Scotland—

(a) by the defendant, or

(b) by the chief constable,

for an order varying, renewing or discharging the relevant order.

(4) Subject to subsections (5) to (12), on the application the court, after hearing the person making the application and the other person mentioned in subsection (3) (if that person wishes to be heard), may make any order varying, renewing or discharging the relevant order that the appropriate sheriff considers appropriate.

(5) In determining the application the court must have regard to—

(a) the time for which the defendant is likely to remain in Scotland, and

(b) whether—

(i) in the case of a sexual harm prevention order, the defendant is likely to return to, or to visit, England and Wales, or

(ii) in the case of a sexual offences prevention order or foreign travel order, the defendant is likely to return to, or to visit, Northern Ireland.

(6) A sexual harm prevention order may be renewed, or varied under this section so as to impose additional prohibitions or requirements on the defendant, only if it is necessary to do so for the purpose of—

(a) protecting the public in Scotland, or any particular members of the public in Scotland, from sexual harm from the defendant, or

(b) protecting children or vulnerable adults generally, or any particular children or vulnerable adults, from sexual harm from the defendant outside the United Kingdom.

(7) A sexual harm prevention order as renewed or varied under this section may contain only such prohibitions and requirements as are necessary for the purpose of—

(a) protecting the public or any particular members of the public from sexual harm from the defendant, or

(b) protecting children or vulnerable adults generally, or any particular children or vulnerable adults, from sexual harm from the defendant outside the United Kingdom.

(8) A sexual offences prevention order may be renewed, or varied under this section so as to impose additional prohibitions or requirements on the defendant, only if it is necessary to do so for the purpose of protecting the public in Scotland, or any particular members of the public in Scotland, from serious sexual harm from the defendant.

(9) A sexual offences prevention order as renewed or varied under this section may contain only such prohibitions and requirements as are necessary for the purpose of protecting the public or any particular members of the public from serious sexual harm from the defendant.

(10) A foreign travel order may be renewed, or varied under this section so as to impose additional prohibitions on the defendant, only if it is necessary to do so for the purpose of protecting children generally or any child from serious sexual harm from the defendant outside the United Kingdom.

(11) A foreign travel order as renewed or varied under this section may contain only such prohibitions as are necessary for the purpose mentioned in subsection (10).

(12) The court must not discharge a sexual harm prevention order or a sexual offences prevention order before the end of 5 years beginning with the day on which the order was made without the consent of the defendant and the chief constable.

(13) The defendant may appeal against the making of an order under this section, or the refusal to make such an order, as if it were a decision constituting final judgment in civil proceedings within the meaning of the Courts Reform (Scotland) Act 2014 (asp 18).

(14) In this section—

“the appropriate sheriff” means—in any case, a sheriff in whose sheriffdom the defendant resides, orin a case where the application is made by the chief constable—a sheriff in whose sheriffdom the defendant is believed by the chief constable to be, ora sheriff to whose sheriffdom the defendant is believed by the chief constable to be intending to come;

“the chief constable” means the chief constable of the Police Service of Scotland;

“child” means a person under 18;

“serious sexual harm”, in relation to the renewal or variation of a sexual offences prevention order, means serious physical or psychological harm caused by the defendant committing one or more of the offences listed in Schedule 3;

“serious sexual harm”, in relation to the renewal or variation of a foreign travel order, means serious physical or psychological harm caused by the defendant doing, outside the United Kingdom, anything which would constitute an offence listed in Schedule 3 if done in any part of the United Kingdom;

“sexual harm” and “vulnerable adult”, in relation to the renewal or variation of a sexual harm prevention order, have the meanings given by section 103B(1).

136ZF

(1) This section applies where a relevant order has been made in respect of a person who now—

(a) is residing in Scotland, or

(b) is in or is intending to come to Scotland.

(2) In this section “relevant order” means—

(a) a sexual risk order, or

(b) a risk of sexual harm order.

(3) An application may be made to the appropriate sheriff in Scotland—

(a) by the defendant, or

(b) by the chief constable,

for an order varying, renewing or discharging the relevant order.

(4) Subject to subsections (5) to (10), on the application the court, after hearing the person making the application and the other person mentioned in subsection (3) (if that person wishes to be heard), may make any order varying, renewing or discharging the relevant order that the appropriate sheriff considers appropriate.

(5) In determining the application the court must have regard to—

(a) the time for which the defendant is likely to remain in Scotland, and

(b) whether—

(i) in the case of a sexual risk order, the defendant is likely to return to, or to visit, England and Wales, or

(ii) in the case of a risk of sexual harm order, the defendant is likely to return to, or to visit, Northern Ireland.

(6) A sexual risk order may be renewed, or varied under this section so as to impose additional prohibitions or requirements on the defendant, only if it is necessary to do so for the purpose of—

(a) protecting the public in Scotland, or any particular members of the public in Scotland, from harm from the defendant, or

(b) protecting children or vulnerable adults generally, or any particular children or vulnerable adults, from harm from the defendant outside the United Kingdom.

(7) A sexual risk order as renewed or varied under this section may contain only such prohibitions and requirements as are necessary for the purpose of—

(a) protecting the public or any particular members of the public from harm from the defendant, or

(b) protecting children or vulnerable adults generally, or any particular children or vulnerable adults, from harm from the defendant outside the United Kingdom.

(8) A risk of sexual harm order may be renewed, or varied under this section so as to impose additional prohibitions on the defendant, only if it is necessary to do so for the purpose of protecting children generally or any child from physical or psychological harm from the defendant doing acts within section 123(3).

(9) A risk of sexual harm order as renewed or varied under this section may contain only such prohibitions as are necessary for the purpose mentioned in subsection (8).

(10) The court must not discharge a relevant order before the end of 2 years beginning with the day on which the order was made without the consent of the defendant and the chief constable.

(11) The defendant may appeal against the making of an order under this section, or the refusal to make such an order, as if it were a decision constituting final judgment in civil proceedings within the meaning of the Courts Reform (Scotland) Act 2014 (asp 18).

(12) In this section—

“the appropriate sheriff” means—in any case, a sheriff in whose sheriffdom the defendant resides, orin a case where the application is made by the chief constable—a sheriff in whose sheriffdom the defendant is believed by the chief constable to be, ora sheriff to whose sheriffdom the defendant is believed by the chief constable to be intending to come;

“the chief constable” means the chief constable of the Police Service of Scotland;

“child”—in relation to the renewal or variation of a sexual risk order, means a person under 18;in relation to the renewal or variation of a risk of sexual harm order, means a person under 16;

“harm” and “vulnerable adult”, in relation to the renewal or variation of a sexual risk order, have the meanings given by section 122B(1).

136ZG

(1) This section applies where a relevant Scottish order has been made in respect of a person (“the defendant”) who now—

(a) is residing in England and Wales, or

(b) is in or is intending to come to England and Wales.

(2) In this section “relevant Scottish order” means a sexual harm prevention order made under section 11 or 12 of the Abusive Behaviour and Sexual Harm (Scotland) Act 2016 (asp 22).

(3) A person within subsection (4) may by complaint to the appropriate court apply for an order varying, renewing or discharging the relevant order.

(4) Those persons are—

(a) the defendant;

(b) the chief officer of police for the area in which the defendant resides;

(c) a chief officer of police who believes that the defendant is in, or is intending to come to, that officer’s police area.

(5) If a list has been published under section 172 of the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 (list of countries where children are at high risk of sexual abuse or sexual exploitation) and has not been withdrawn, a person mentioned in subsection (4)(b) or (c) must have regard to the list in considering—

(a) whether to apply for an order varying or renewing the relevant Scottish order for the purpose of protecting children generally, or any particular children, from sexual harm from the defendant outside the United Kingdom, and

(b) in particular, whether to apply for an order imposing, varying or renewing a prohibition on foreign travel for that purpose.

(6) Subject to subsections (7) to (14), on an application under this section the court, after hearing the person making the application and (if they wish to be heard) the other persons mentioned in subsection (4), may make any order varying, renewing or discharging the relevant Scottish order that the court considers appropriate.

(7) In determining the application the court must have regard to—

(a) the time for which the defendant is likely to remain in England and Wales, and

(b) whether the defendant is likely to return to, or to visit, Scotland.

(8) A relevant Scottish order may be renewed, or varied under this section so as to impose additional prohibitions or requirements on the defendant, only if it is necessary to do so for the purpose of—

(a) protecting the public in England and Wales, or any particular members of the public in England and Wales, from sexual harm from the defendant, or

(b) protecting children or vulnerable adults generally, or any particular children or vulnerable adults, from sexual harm from the defendant outside the United Kingdom.

(9) A relevant Scottish order as renewed or varied under this section may contain only such prohibitions and requirements as are necessary for the purpose of—

(a) protecting the public or any particular members of the public from sexual harm from the defendant, or

(b) protecting children or vulnerable adults generally, or any particular children or vulnerable adults, from sexual harm from the defendant outside the United Kingdom.

(10) If a list has been published under section 172 of the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 and has not been withdrawn, the court must have regard to the list in considering—

(a) whether any order varying or renewing the relevant Scottish order is necessary for the purpose of protecting children generally, or any particular children, from sexual harm from the defendant outside the United Kingdom, and

(b) in particular, whether an order imposing, varying or renewing a prohibition on foreign travel is necessary for that purpose.

(11) A relevant Scottish order may be renewed or varied under this section so as to require the defendant to submit to electronic monitoring of the defendant’s compliance with the prohibitions and requirements imposed by the order.

(12) Section 103FA (electronic monitoring requirements) applies in relation to—

(a) the variation under this section of a relevant Scottish order to require the defendant to submit to electronic monitoring of the defendant’s compliance with the prohibitions and requirements imposed by the order, or

(b) the renewal of an order to continue such a requirement,

as it applies in relation to the making of a sexual harm prevention order, subject to subsection (13).

(13) In its application to the variation or renewal of a relevant Scottish order, section 103FA has effect as if—

(a) the reference in subsection (4)(b) to a case where it is proposed to include in the order a requirement or provision mentioned in sub-paragraph (i) or (ii) included a case where the order already includes such a requirement or provision,

(b) the reference in subsection (4)(b) to the local justice area in which the place or area proposed to be specified is situated included the local justice area in which the place or area already specified is situated, and

(14) The court must not discharge a relevant Scottish order, or vary such an order so as to remove a prohibition or requirement, unless the order or, as the case may be, the prohibition or requirement is no longer necessary for the purpose of—

(a) protecting the public, or any particular members of the public, from sexual harm from the defendant, or

(b) protecting children or vulnerable adults generally, or any particular children or vulnerable adults, from sexual harm from the defendant outside the United Kingdom.

(15) In this section—

“adult magistrates’ court” means a magistrates’ court that is not a youth court;

“the appropriate court” means—where the defendant is aged 18 or over, an adult magistrates’ court for the area in which the defendant resides or, where the application is made by a chief officer of police, any adult magistrates’ court acting for a local justice area that includes any part of the chief officer’s police area;where the defendant is under the age of 18, a youth court for the area in which the defendant resides or, where the application is made by a chief officer of police, any youth court acting for a local justice area that includes any part of the chief officer’s police area;

“child” means a person under 18;

“prohibition on foreign travel” includes a prohibition on foreign travel within the meaning of Chapter 3 of Part 2 of the Abusive Behaviour and Sexual Harm (Scotland) Act 2016 (see sections 17 and 25 of that Act);

“sexual harm” and “vulnerable adult” have the same meanings as in Chapter 3 of Part 2 of the Abusive Behaviour and Sexual Harm (Scotland) Act 2016 (see sections 10 and 25 of that Act).

136ZH

(1) This section applies where a relevant order has been made in respect of a person who now—

(a) is residing in England and Wales, or

(b) is in or is intending to come to England and Wales.

(2) In this section “relevant order” means—

(a) a sexual offences prevention order, or

(b) a foreign travel order.

(3) A person within subsection (4) may by complaint to the appropriate court apply for an order varying, renewing or discharging the relevant order.

(4) Those persons are—

(a) the defendant;

(b) the chief officer of police for the area in which the defendant resides;

(c) a chief officer of police who believes that the defendant is in, or is intending to come to, that officer’s police area.

(5) If—

(a) this section applies in relation to a person because that person is subject to a foreign travel order, and

(b) a list has been published under section 172 of the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 (list of countries where children are at high risk of sexual abuse or sexual exploitation) and has not been withdrawn,

a person mentioned in subsection (4)(b) or (c) must have regard to the list in considering whether to apply for an order varying or renewing the foreign travel order.

(6) Subject to subsections (7) to (16), on an application under this section the court, after hearing the person making the application and (if they wish to be heard) the other persons mentioned in subsection (4), may make any order varying, renewing or discharging the relevant order that the court considers appropriate.

(7) In determining the application the court must have regard to—

(a) the time for which the defendant is likely to remain in England and Wales, and

(b) whether the defendant is likely to return to, or to visit, Northern Ireland.

(8) A sexual offences prevention order may be renewed, or varied under this section so as to impose additional prohibitions or requirements on the defendant, only if it is necessary to do so for the purpose of protecting the public in England and Wales, or any particular members of the public in England and Wales, from serious sexual harm from the defendant.

(9) A sexual offences prevention order as renewed or varied under this section may contain only such prohibitions and requirements as are necessary for the purpose of protecting the public or any particular members of the public from serious sexual harm from the defendant.

(10) A sexual offences prevention order may be renewed or varied under this section so as to require the defendant to submit to electronic monitoring of the defendant’s compliance with the prohibitions and requirements imposed by the order.

(11) Section 103FA (electronic monitoring requirements) applies in relation to—

(a) the variation under this section of a sexual offences prevention order to require the defendant to submit to electronic monitoring of the defendant’s compliance with the prohibitions and requirements imposed by the order, or

(b) the renewal of an order to continue such a requirement,

as it applies in relation to the making of a sexual harm prevention order, subject to subsection (12).

(12) In its application to the variation or renewal of a sexual offences prevention order, section 103FA has effect as if—

(a) the reference in subsection (4)(b) to a case where it is proposed to include in the order a requirement or provision mentioned in sub-paragraph (i) or (ii) included a case where the order already includes such a requirement or provision,

(b) the reference in subsection (4)(b) to the local justice area in which the place or area proposed to be specified is situated included the local justice area in which the place or area already specified is situated, and

(13) The court must not discharge a sexual offences prevention order before the end of 5 years beginning with the day on which the order was made without the consent of the defendant and—

(a) where the application under this section is made by a chief officer of police, that chief officer, or

(b) in any other case, the chief officer of police for the area in which the defendant resides.

(14) A foreign travel order may be renewed, or varied under this section so as to impose additional prohibitions on the defendant, only if it is necessary to do so for the purpose of protecting children generally or any child from serious sexual harm from the defendant outside the United Kingdom.

(15) A foreign travel order as renewed or varied under this section may contain only such prohibitions as are necessary for the purpose mentioned in subsection (14).

(16) If a list has been published under section 172 of the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 and has not been withdrawn, the court must have regard to the list in considering whether to renew or vary a foreign travel order under this section.

(17) In this section—

“adult magistrates’ court” means a magistrates’ court that is not a youth court;

“the appropriate court” means—where the defendant is aged 18 or over, an adult magistrates’ court for the area in which the defendant resides or, where the application is made by a chief officer of police, any adult magistrates’ court acting for a local justice area that includes any part of the chief officer’s police area;where the defendant is under the age of 18, a youth court for the area in which the defendant resides or, where the application is made by a chief officer of police, any youth court acting for a local justice area that includes any part of the chief officer’s police area;

“child” means a person under 18;

“serious sexual harm”—in relation to the renewal or variation of a sexual offences prevention order, means serious physical or psychological harm caused by the defendant committing one or more of the offences listed in Schedule 3;in relation to the renewal or variation of a foreign travel order, means serious physical or psychological harm caused by the defendant doing, outside the United Kingdom, anything which would constitute an offence listed in Schedule 3 if done in any part of the United Kingdom.

136ZI

(1) This section applies where a relevant Scottish order has been made in respect of a person (“the defendant”) who now—

(a) is residing in England and Wales, or

(b) is in or is intending to come to England and Wales.

(2) In this section “relevant Scottish order” means a sexual risk order made under section 27 of the Abusive Behaviour and Sexual Harm (Scotland) Act 2016 (asp 22).

(3) A person within subsection (4) may by complaint to the appropriate court apply for an order varying, renewing or discharging the relevant Scottish order.

(4) Those persons are—

(a) the defendant;

(b) the chief officer of police for the area in which the defendant resides;

(c) a chief officer of police who believes that the defendant is in, or is intending to come to, that officer‘s police area.

(5) If a list has been published under section 172 of the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 (list of countries where children are at high risk of sexual abuse or sexual exploitation) and has not been withdrawn, a person mentioned in subsection (4)(b) or (c) must have regard to the list in considering—

(a) whether to apply for an order varying or renewing the relevant Scottish order for the purpose of protecting children generally, or any particular children, from sexual harm from the defendant outside the United Kingdom, and

(b) in particular, whether to apply for an order imposing, varying or renewing a prohibition on foreign travel for that purpose.

(6) Subject to subsections (7) to (14), on the application the court, after hearing the person making the application and (if they wish to be heard) the other persons mentioned in subsection (4), may make any order varying, renewing or discharging the relevant Scottish order that the court considers appropriate.

(7) In determining the application the court must have regard to—

(a) the time for which the defendant is likely to remain in England and Wales, and

(b) whether the defendant is likely to return to, or to visit, Scotland.

(8) A relevant Scottish order may be renewed, or varied under this section so as to impose additional prohibitions or requirements on the defendant, only if it is necessary to do so for the purpose of—

(a) protecting the public in England and Wales, or any particular members of the public in England and Wales, from harm from the defendant, or

(b) protecting children or vulnerable adults generally, or any particular children or vulnerable adults, from harm from the defendant outside the United Kingdom.

(9) A relevant Scottish order as renewed or varied under this section may contain only such prohibitions and requirements as are necessary for the purpose of—

(a) protecting the public or any particular members of the public from harm from the defendant, or

(b) protecting children or vulnerable adults generally, or any particular children or vulnerable adults, from harm from the defendant outside the United Kingdom.

(10) If a list has been published under section 172 of the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 and has not been withdrawn, the court must have regard to the list in considering—

(a) whether any order varying or renewing the relevant Scottish order is necessary for the purpose of protecting children generally, or any particular children, from sexual harm from the defendant outside the United Kingdom, and

(b) in particular, whether an order imposing, varying or renewing a prohibition on foreign travel is necessary for that purpose.

(11) A relevant Scottish order may be renewed or varied under this section so as to require the defendant to submit to electronic monitoring of the defendant’s compliance with the prohibitions and requirements imposed by the order.

(12) Section 122EA (electronic monitoring requirements) applies in relation to—

(a) the variation under this section of a relevant Scottish order to require the defendant to submit to electronic monitoring of the defendant’s compliance with the prohibitions and requirements imposed by the order, or

(b) the renewal of an order to continue such a requirement,

as it applies in relation to the making of a sexual risk order, subject to subsection (13).

(13) In its application to the variation or renewal of a relevant Scottish order, section 122EA has effect as if—

(a) the reference in subsection (4)(b) to a case where it is proposed to include in the order a requirement or provision mentioned in sub-paragraph (i) or (ii) included a case where the order already includes such a requirement or provision,

(b) the reference in subsection (4)(b) to the local justice area in which the place or area proposed to be specified is situated included the local justice area in which the place or area already specified is situated, and

(14) The court must not discharge a relevant Scottish order, or vary such an order so as to remove a prohibition or requirement, unless the order or, as the case may be, the prohibition or requirement is no longer necessary for the purpose of—

(a) protecting the public, or any particular members of the public, from harm from the defendant, or

(b) protecting children or vulnerable adults generally, or any particular children or vulnerable adults, from harm from the defendant outside the United Kingdom.

(15) In this section—

“adult magistrates’ court” means a magistrates’ court that is not a youth court;

“the appropriate court” means—where the defendant is aged 18 or over, an adult magistrates’ court for the area in which the defendant resides or, where the application is made by a chief officer of police, any adult magistrates’ court acting for a local justice area that includes any part of the chief officer’s police area;where the defendant is under the age of 18, a youth court for the area in which the defendant resides or, where the application is made by a chief officer of police, any youth court acting for a local justice area that includes any part of the chief officer’s police area;

“child” means a person under 18;

“harm” and “vulnerable adult” have the same meanings as in Chapter 4 of Part 2 of the Abusive Behaviour and Sexual Harm (Scotland) Act 2016 (see sections 26 and 36 of that Act);

“prohibition on foreign travel” includes a prohibition on foreign travel within the meaning of Chapter 4 of Part 2 of the Abusive Behaviour and Sexual Harm (Scotland) Act 2016 (see sections 29 and 36 of that Act).

136ZJ

(1) This section applies where a risk of sexual harm order has been made in respect of a person who now—

(a) is residing in England and Wales, or

(b) is in or is intending to come to England and Wales.

(2) A person within subsection (3) may by complaint to the appropriate court apply for an order varying, renewing or discharging the order.

(3) Those persons are—

(a) the defendant;

(b) the chief officer of police for the area in which the defendant resides;

(c) a chief officer of police who believes that the defendant is in, or is intending to come to, that officer’s police area.

(4) Subject to subsections (5) to (10), on the application the court, after hearing the person making the application and (if they wish to be heard) the other persons mentioned in subsection (3), may make any order varying, renewing or discharging the risk of sexual harm order that the court considers appropriate.

(5) A risk of sexual harm order may be renewed, or varied under this section so as to impose—

(a) additional prohibitions on the defendant, or

(b) requirements of the kind mentioned in subsection (7) on the defendant,

only if it is necessary to do so for the purpose of protecting children generally or any child from physical or psychological harm, caused by the defendant doing acts within section 123(3).

(6) A risk of sexual harm order as renewed or varied under this section may contain only—

(a) such prohibitions as are necessary for the purpose mentioned in subsection (5), and

(b) such requirements of the kind mentioned in subsection (7) as are necessary for that purpose.

(7) A risk of sexual harm order may be renewed or varied under this section so as to require the defendant to submit to electronic monitoring of the defendant’s compliance with the prohibitions imposed by the order.

(8) Section 122EA (electronic monitoring requirements) applies in relation to—

(a) the variation under this section of a risk of sexual harm order to require the defendant to submit to electronic monitoring of the defendant’s compliance with the prohibitions imposed by the order, or

(b) the renewal of an order to continue such a requirement,

as it applies in relation to the making of a sexual harm prevention order, subject to subsection (9).

(9) In its application to the variation or renewal of a risk of sexual harm order, section 122EA has effect as if—

(a) subsection (4)(b)(i) were omitted,

(b) the reference in subsection (4)(b) to a case where it is proposed to include in the order a provision mentioned in sub-paragraph (ii) included a case where the order already includes such a provision,

(c) the reference in subsection (4)(b) to the local justice area in which the place or area proposed to be specified is situated included the local justice area in which the place or area already specified is situated, and

(d) the reference in subsection (9) to section 122D were to this section.

(10) The court must not discharge a risk of sexual harm order before the end of 2 years beginning with the day on which the order was made without the consent of the defendant and—

(a) where the application under this section is made by a chief officer of police, that chief officer, or

(b) in any other case, the chief officer of police for the area in which the defendant resides.

(11) In this section—

“adult magistrates’ court” means a magistrates’ court that is not a youth court;

“the appropriate court” means—where the defendant is aged 18 or over, an adult magistrates’ court for the area in which the defendant resides or, where the application is made by a chief officer of police, any adult magistrates’ court acting for a local justice area that includes any part of the chief officer’s police area;where the defendant is under the age of 18, a youth court for the area in which the defendant resides or, where the application is made by a chief officer of police, any youth court acting for a local justice area that includes any part of the chief officer’s police area;

“child” means a person under 16.

92IA

An offence under Article 22A of that Order (sexual communication with a child).

92IB

An offence under Article 22B of that Order (communicating with a person with a view to grooming a particular child).

92IC

An offence under Article 22C of that Order (communicating with a group with a view to grooming a particular child).

92ID

An offence under Article 22D of that Order (communicating with a person with a view to grooming any child).

92IE

An offence under Article 22E of that Order (communicating with a group with a view to grooming any child).

92VA

(1) An offence under Article 71A or 71B of that Order (voyeurism: additional offences) if—

(a) the offence was committed for the purpose mentioned in Articles 71A(2)(a)(i) and (5)(a)(i) and 71B(2)(a)(i) and (5)(a)(i) (sexual gratification), and

(b) the relevant condition is met.

(2) Where the offender was under 18, the relevant condition is that the offender is or has been sentenced in respect of the offence to imprisonment for a term of at least 12 months.

(3) In any other case, the relevant condition is that—

(a) the victim was under 18, or

(b) the offender, in respect of the offence or finding, is or has been—

(i) sentenced to a term of imprisonment,

(ii) detained in a hospital, or

(iii) made the subject of a community sentence of at least 12 months.

92VB

(1) An offence under Article 72A of that Order (sending etc an unwanted sexual image) if—

(a) the offence was committed for the purpose mentioned in Article 72A(3)(a) (sexual gratification), and

(b) the relevant condition is met.

(2) Where the offender was under 18, the relevant condition is that the offender is or has been sentenced in respect of the offence to imprisonment for a term of at least 12 months.

(3) In any other case, the relevant condition is that—

(a) the victim was under 18, or

(b) the offender, in respect of the offence or finding, is or has been—

(i) sentenced to a term of imprisonment,

(ii) detained in a hospital, or

(iii) made the subject of a community sentence of at least 12 months.

171H

An offence under section 28 of the Justice (Sexual Offences and Trafficking Victims) Act (Northern Ireland) 2022 (non-fatal strangulation or asphyxiation).

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