Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act, 1997

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9 1997 26

Coercion.

9.—(1) A person who, with a view to compel another to abstain from doing or to do any act which that other has a lawful right to do or to abstain from doing, wrongfully and without lawful authority—

( a ) uses violence to or intimidates that other person or a member of the family of the other, or

( b ) injures or damages the property of that other, or

( c ) persistently follows that other about from place to place, or

( d ) watches or besets the premises or other place where that other resides, works or carries on business, or happens to be, or the approach to such premises or place, or

( e ) follows that other with one or more other persons in a disorderly manner in or through any public place,

shall be guilty of an offence.

(2) For the purpose of this section attending at or near the premises or place where a person resides, works, carries on business or happens to be, or the approach to such premises or place, in order merely to obtain or communicate information, shall not be deemed a watching or besetting within the meaning of subsection (1)(d).

(3) A person guilty of an offence under this section shall be liable—

( a ) on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding £1,500 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or to both, or

( b ) on conviction on indictment to a fine or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 5 years or to both.

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