s 90 Increase of maximum sentences for offences relating to knives, weapons etc.
(1) In Article 22 of the Public Order (Northern Ireland) Order 1987 (NI 7) (carrying of offensive weapon) in paragraph (3)(a) for “6 months” substitute “ 12 months ” . (2) In Article 8 of the Crossbows (Northern Ireland) Order 1988 (NI 5) (offences relating to crossbows) for paragraphs (1) and (2) substitute— (1) A person guilty of an offence under this Order shall be liable— (a) on summary conviction, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum, or to both; (b) on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 4 years, or to a fine, or to both. (3) In section 139 of the Criminal Justice Act 1988 (c. 33) (having knife etc. in public place) for subsection (6) substitute— (6) A person guilty of an offence under subsection (1) shall be liable— (a) on summary conviction, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum, or to both; (b) on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 4 years, or to a fine, or to both. (4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (5) In section 141(1) of the Criminal Justice Act 1988 (c. 33) (offensive weapons) in subsection (1) for the words from “on summary conviction” to the end substitute (a) on summary conviction, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum, or to both; (b) on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 4 years, or to a fine, or to both. (6) In Article 53 of the Criminal Justice (Northern Ireland) Order 1996 (NI 24) (manufacture, sale. etc. of certain knives) for the words from “on summary conviction” to the end substitute (a) on summary conviction, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum, or to both; (b) on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 4 years, or to a fine, or to both. (7) In Article 54(1) of the Criminal Justice (Northern Ireland) Order 1996 (NI 24) (sale of knives, etc to young persons) for the words from “on summary conviction” to the end substitute (a) on summary conviction, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum, or to both; (b) on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 4 years, or to a fine, or to both. (8) In section 1 of the Knives Act 1997 (c. 21) (unlawful marketing of knives) for subsection (5) substitute— (5) A person guilty of an offence under this section shall be liable— (a) on summary conviction, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum, or to both; (b) on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 4 years, or to a fine, or to both. (9) In section 2 of the Knives Act 1997 (c. 21) (publications connected with marketing of knives) for subsection (2) substitute— (2) A person guilty of an offence under this section shall be liable— (a) on summary conviction, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum, or to both (b) on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 4 years, or to a fine, or to both. (10) In Article 29(1) of the Magistrates Courts (Northern Ireland) Order 1981 (NI 26) after sub-paragraph (i) add— (j) Article 22 of the Public Order (Northern Ireland) Order 1987; (k) the Crossbows (Northern Ireland) Order 1988; (l) section 139(1), 139A(1) or 141(1) of the Criminal Justice Act 1988; (m) Article 53 or 54(1) of the Criminal Justice (Northern Ireland) Order 1996; (n) section 1 or 2 of the Knives Act 1997.