(1) A person (the
"first person" ) who threatens to cause a detriment to a second person with
intent to prevent or hinder any person (the
"other person" ) other than the first person from doing any act which the
other person is lawfully entitled to do, or with intent to compel the
other person to do any act which the other person is lawfully entitled to
abstain from doing, or with intent to cause public alarm or anxiety, commits a
crime.
Penalty—
Maximum penalty—5 years imprisonment.
(2) The
offender is liable to a maximum penalty of 10 years imprisonment if the threat
is made to a law enforcement officer, or a person helping a law enforcement
officer, when or because the officer is investigating the activities of a
criminal organisation.
(3) The Penalties and Sentences Act 1992, section
161Q also states a circumstance of aggravation for an offence against this
section.
(4) An indictment charging an offence against this section with the
circumstance of aggravation stated in the Penalties and Sentences Act 1992,
section 161Q may not be presented without the consent of a Crown Law Officer.