ID offences could land you in jail warn North Yorkshire Police (From Craven Herald)

ID offences could land you in jail warn North Yorkshire Police

9:00am Tuesday 28th August 2012 in News

Police are warning youngsters of the consequences of using false identification to gain entry to licensed premises.

PC Matthew Balmforth, of the North Yorkshire Police Licensing Unit, said licences were increasingly being seized by doorstaff in pubs and clubs across the area.

“It is worth reminding people there are a number of potential offences one could be committing with regard to false possession or tendering of false identity documents,” said PC Balmforth.

Anyone possessing a passport or driving licence that does not belong to them faces a prison sentence of up to 12 months and/or a £5,000 fine.

And a similar fine, with a two-year jail sentence, can be imposed on those convicted of possessing, without reasonable excuse, counterfeit ID.

There are even more serious consequences for those found in possession of “doctored” documents. They could be jailed for up to 10 years and fined £5,000.

“The simple advice is wait until you are old enough to drink,” said PC Balmforth. “It’s not worth a potential criminal conviction.”

Even if the police decide not to proceed with a criminal prosecution, seized documents are returned to the issuing authority, with a report detailing the circumstances of seizure. It will cost the document owner £20 for a replacement driving licence and £77.50 for a new passport.