Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1997

Intimidation etc.

18.—(1) A person who causes or attempts to cause any threat, intimidation or harassment, coerces, obstructs, impedes, or interferes with, an officer or employee of a housing authority or of a health board or a member of the family of such officer or employee or any person who provides or is to provide evidence in any proceedings under section 62 of the Housing Act, 1966 , or this Act, shall be guilty of an offence.

(2) A person guilty of an offence under subsection (1) shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding £1,500 or, at the discretion of the court, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months, or to both.

(3) Proceedings for an offence under this section in the case of an officer or employee of a health board or a member of the family of such officer or employee may be brought and prosecuted by the health board.