Home / United Kingdom (England & Wales) / Kidnapping and false imprisonment
Kidnapping and false imprisonmentVerified against official source
Verified against official source
This range was checked against the official legal text. Last verified: 2026-10-19.
Statutory range
On indictment (indictable only) — kidnapping
- Imprisonment
- Up to life
- Fine
- — (no fine stated in guideline)
Taking/carrying away by force, threat or fraud, without consent and without lawful excuse.
On indictment (indictable only) — false imprisonment
- Imprisonment
- Up to life
- Fine
- — (no fine stated in guideline)
Unlawful and intentional or reckless restraint of a person's freedom of movement.
Note on this entry
Common-law offences — no statute states the penalty. Maximum confirmed by the Sentencing Council (official). Sentencing Council guideline (in force 1 Apr 2025) is guideline, not statute.
Source
Not legal advice. This range is the statutory penalty as written in the law — it is
not “your sentence.” What is NOT accounted for here: Priors, plea, discretion. If you face a real
charge, consult a licensed lawyer in the relevant jurisdiction.