Guide To UK Pornography Laws
Determining whether pornography is legal or illegal in the UK can be a complicated business. Indeed, there are many detailed and specific pornography laws in the UK that are designed to protect the vulnerable from consuming and being victimised by porn. Read more about the pornography laws in the UK, below.
UK Extreme pornography laws
Part of the Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008 was to make extreme pornographic images illegal to protect the vulnerable from consuming and being victimised.
Extreme pornography is ultimately judged as such by the jury (or magistrates) scrutinising the image. However, there are specific criteria on which this judgment is made, which include whether the image in question is:
- Pornographic
- Grossly obscene or offensive
- Explicit and realistic
- Shows a person’s life is threatened
- Shows serious sexual injury
- Shows necrophilia, bestiality
- Show non-consensual penetration
The penalties for extreme pornography vary depending on the classification of the image. For example possession of extreme pornography showing necrophilia and bestiality can result in up to 2 years in prison and/or an unlimited fine.
However, in cases of extreme pornography showing rape, serious injury, or threat to life the maximum sentence is up to 3 years in prison and/or an unlimited fine. When the offender is over 18, and the sentence for extreme pornography is over 2 years, they can expect to be subject to registry as a sex offender.
UK Child pornography laws
Many laws make child pornography illegal in the UK, including the 1978 Protection of Children Act, The 1988 Criminal Justice Act, and The 2009 Coroners and Justice Act.
Child pornography can be classified in two ways. The first is indecent images of children, while the second is prohibited images of children. Indecent images of children are physical or digital images as well as pseudo-photographic images and live streaming. Prohibited images refer to drawings, manga, cartoons, and computer-generated images.
The penalties under UK law for child pornography offences depend on the seriousness of the charge. For example possession of an indecent image of a child is a maximum of five years. While possession of a prohibited image of a child is a maximum of three years.
However, offenders convicted of making or distributing child pornography can face up to 10 years in prison in the UK.
UK Revenge pornography laws
A relatively recent law was introduced in 2014 that makes revenge porn a specific criminal offence.
Revenge porn is defined as an instance where sexual image/s of a person are deliberately shared, without their consent, to cause them distress. The sharing can be done online via social media, and porn websites, as well as offline via messaging services like text.
Currently, the maxim sentence for anyone convicted of revenge porn offences is 2 years in prison.
If you are under investigation for a pornography offence, or looking for legal advice regarding porn law, contact us here at JD Solicitors
Here at J D Solicitors, our experienced team of defence experts can support anyone facing pornography charges in the UK during police interviews, investigations, and in court.
Get in contact using the methods below for helpful and straightforward advice:
Birmingham: 0121 674 4100
Willenhall: 01902 632 123
Emergency line: 07971 194 042 Email: info@jd-solicitors.co.uk
