Commentary on Sections Section 4: Committing offence with intent to commit an offence under section 1 or 2
Section 4 makes it an offence to commit an offence with the intention of committing a slavery-like or human trafficking offence under sections 1 or 2.  Section 4 mirrors the effect of Article 66 of the Sexual Offences (Northern Ireland) Order 2008, which makes provision in respect of offences preparatory to relevant sexual offences, whilst also extending the “preparatory offence” provision to all slavery-like or human trafficking offences, not just those which are committed for the purposes of sexual exploitation.  Such preparatory offences would include offences of aiding, abetting, counselling or procuring such a human trafficking or slavery-like offence.
Subsection (2) sets out that an offence under this section would ordinarily attract a maximum sentence of ten years on indictment or six months and/or a fine on summary conviction.  However, subsection (3) provides that, where the offence is committed by kidnapping or false imprisonment, it would attract a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.