Owning violent porn to become an offence
31 Aug 06
Law in England and Wales to make possession a crime for the first time
Viewing violent pornography will become a criminal offence for the first time in England and Wales, carrying a penalty of up to three years in prison.
The UK government is to bring in new laws as soon as possible, banning possession of porn which depicts "scenes of extreme sexual violence". This will cover violence that appears to be life-threatening or likely to result in serious injury. Also caught will be scenes of bestiality or necrophilia.
Vernon Coaker, a Home Office minister, said that the advent of the internet had meant that this type of material was more easily available and existing controls were being bypassed.
The new law, which applies to online and offline pornography, will cover England and Wales initially, but it is expected that the Scottish Executive will announce its own plans separately.
Currently, it is an offence to publish and distribute violent pornography, but not to own it. The new laws will also increase the maximum penalty for publishing, distributing and possessing for gain of obsence pronorgraphy from three to five years' imprisonment.