Commentary Definitions Section 14 – Maximum penalty for certain offences relating to nuclear material
76.Section 14increases the maximum sentence for the existing offences involving preparatory acts and threats set out in Section 2 of the Nuclear Material (Offences) Act 1983. That section creates offences relating to receiving, holding or dealing with nuclear material, or making threats in relation to nuclear material, with intent to commit certain offences or enabling others to commit those offences. These include, among other offences, those of murder, manslaughter, culpable homicide, assault to injury, malicious mischief or causing injury, certain offences against the person, theft, or extortion. The previous maximum penalty was fourteen years’ imprisonment, or (if lower) the maximum sentence for the carrying out of such acts. Subsection (1)sets out the new maximum penalty for these offences, which on conviction on indictment, will be imprisonment for life. Subsection (2) makes it clear that this is not a retrospective amendment, and that offences committed before this section comes into force will not invite the higher penalty.