http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1988/27/section/1Malicious Communications Act 1988An Act to make provision for the punishment of persons who send or deliver letters or other articles for the purpose of causing distress or anxiety.1988-07-29texttext/xmlenStatute Law Database2024-02-01Expert Participation2024-01-31 11Any person who sends to another person—aa letter, electronic communication or article of any description which conveys—ia message which is indecent or grossly offensive;ii. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .iii. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .bany article or electronic communication which is, in whole or part, of an indecent or grossly offensive nature,is guilty of an offence if his purpose, or one of his purposes, in sending it is that it should, so far as falling within paragraph (a) or (b) above, cause distress or anxiety to the recipient or to any other person to whom he intends that it or its contents or nature should be communicated.2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2A In this section “electronic communication” includes— aany oral or other communication by means of an electronic communications network (c. 12)); andbany communication (however sent) that is in electronic form.3In this section references to sending include references to delivering or transmitting and to causing to be sent , delivered or transmitted and “sender” shall be construed accordingly.4A person guilty of an offence under this section is liable—aon conviction on indictment to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or a fine (or both);bon summary conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or a fine (or both).5In relation to an offence committed before 2 May 2022, the reference in subsection (4)(b) to 12 months is to be read as a reference to six months.6In relation to an offence committed before section 85 of the Legal Aid Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 comes into force, the reference in subsection (4)(b) to a fine is to be read as a reference to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum.Words in s. 1(1)(a) substituted (11.5.2001) by 2001 c. 16, ss. 43(1)(a), 138(2)Words in s. 1(1)(b) substituted (11.5.2001) by 2001 c. 16, ss. 43(1)(b), 138(2)S. 1(2A) inserted (11.5.2001) by 2001 c. 16, ss. 43(3), 138(2)Words in s. 1(3) inserted (11.5.2001) by 2001 c. 16, ss. 43(4)(a), 138(2)Words in s. 1(3) substituted (11.5.2001) by 2001 c. 16, ss. 43(4)(b), 138(2)Words in s. 1(2A)(a) substituted (25.7.2003 for specified purposes, 29.12.2003 in so far as not already in force) by Communications Act 2003 (c. 21), s. 411(2), Sch. 17 para. 90 (with Sch. 18); S.I. 2003/1900, arts. 1(2), 2(1), Schs. 1 (with art. 3) (as amended by S.I. 2003/3142, art. 1(3)); S.I. 2003/3142, art. 3(2) (with art. 11)S. 1(4)-(6) substituted for s. 1(4) (13.4.2015) by Criminal Justice and Courts Act 2015 (c. 2), ss. 32(1), 95(1) (with s. 32(2)); S.I. 2015/778, art. 3, Sch. 1 para. 26Words in s. 1(5) substituted (28.4.2022) by The Criminal Justice Act 2003 (Commencement No. 33) and Sentencing Act 2020 (Commencement No. 2) Regulations 2022 (S.I. 2022/500), regs. 1(2), 5(1), Sch. Pt. 1S. 1(2) repealed (31.1.2024) by Online Safety Act 2023 (c. 50), ss. 189(2)(c), 240(1); S.I. 2024/31, reg. 2S. 1(1)(a)(ii) repealed (31.1.2024) by Online Safety Act 2023 (c. 50), ss. 189(2)(a), 240(1); S.I. 2024/31, reg. 2S. 1(1)(a)(iii) repealed (31.1.2024) by Online Safety Act 2023 (c. 50), ss. 189(2)(b), 240(1); S.I. 2024/31, reg. 2