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Child abductionVerified against official source
This range was checked against the official legal text. Last verified: 2026-10-19.
Statutory range
Summary — Part I offences
- Imprisonment
- 0 (no mandatory prison) – 6 months
- Fine
- Statutory maximum (unlimited for offences committed on/after 12 Mar 2015)
0 = the law sets no minimum prison term. The court is not required to impose prison. Depending on the offence, jurisdiction, and case, it may instead impose a non-custodial sentence — e.g. a suspended sentence, community order / probation, a fine, or a discharge.
On indictment — Part I offences
- Imprisonment
- 0 (no mandatory prison) – 7 years
- Fine
- No fine stated in s. 4(1)(b)
0 = the law sets no minimum prison term. The court is not required to impose prison. Depending on the offence, jurisdiction, and case, it may instead impose a non-custodial sentence — e.g. a suspended sentence, community order / probation, a fine, or a discharge.
Taking, sending or detaining a child under 16 so as to remove/keep the child from lawful control.
s. 4. Prosecution of a s. 1 offence requires the DPP's consent (s. 4(2)).