Higher penalties for offences under Act

In section 127 of the 1983 Act (ill-treatment or wilful neglect of patients) the maximum penalty is increased from two to five years. This change took effect from 1/10/07 (Mental Health Act 2007 (Commencement No. 3) Order 2007). The section now reads:

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

(a) on summary conviction, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six 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 [five years] or to a fine of any amount, or to both.