Commentary on Sections Section 1: Offence of supplying specialist printing equipment knowing it will be used for criminal purposes
8.Section 1 creates a new offence of supplying specialist printing equipment knowing that it will be or is intended to be used for the purposes of criminal conduct.
9.Subsection (2) defines “criminal conduct” as that which constitutes a criminal offence, whether or not in England and Wales.
10.Subsection (3) sets out that the offence is triable on indictment, and that the maximum penalty is imprisonment for up to 10 years or a fine, or both.
11.By subsection (4), if any other person (i.e. a body corporate or a partnership) is convicted of the offence, the maximum penalty is a fine.
12.Subsection (5) provides a defence if the conduct was necessary for the proper exercise of any function of the police.