Page:Theft Act 1968 (UKPGA 1968-60 qp).pdf/24

22 SCHEDULE 2 Amendments of Post Office Act 1953 1. The Post Office Act 1953 shall have effect subject to the amendments provided for by this Part of this Schedule (and, except in so far as the contrary intention appears, those amendments have effect throughout the British postal area).

2. Sections 22 and 23 shall be amended by substituting for the word “felony” in section 22(1) and section 23(2) the words “a misdemeanour”, and by omitting the words “of this Act and” in section 23(1).

3. In section 52, as it applies outside England and Wales, for the words from “be guilty” onwards there shall be substituted the words “be guilty of a misdemeanour and be liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding ten years”.

4. In section 53 for the words from “be guilty” onwards there shall be substituted the words “be guilty of a misdemeanour and be liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years”.

5. In section 54, as it applies outside England and Wales,—
 * (a) there shall be omitted the words “taking, embezzling”, and the words “taken, embezzled”, where first occurring ;
 * (b) for the words “a felony” there shall be substituted the words “an offence” and the word “feloniously” shall be omitted;
 * (c) for the words from “be guilty” to “secreted it” there shall be substituted the words “be guilty of a misdemeanour and be liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding fourteen years”.

6. In sections 55 and 58(1), after the word “imprisonment”, there shall in each case be inserted the words “for a term not exceeding two years”.

7. In section 57—
 * (a) there shall be omitted the words “steals, or for any purpose whatever embezzles,” and the words from “or if” onwards ;
 * (b) for the word “felony” there shall be substituted the words “a misdemeanour”.

8. After section 65 there shall be inserted as a new section 65A—
 * 65A. If any person dishonestly uses a public telephone or telex system with intent to avoid payment (including any such system provided, under licence, otherwise than by the Postmaster General), he shall be guilty of a misdemeanour and be liable on summary conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months