A person is guilty of an offence if, for the purpose of procuring a particular decision on an application (whether or not by that person) for the issue of a certificate under section 26H, the person—
knowingly or recklessly makes a statement which is false or misleading in a material particular;
with intent to deceive, uses any document which is false or misleading in a material particular; or
with intent to deceive, withholds any material information.
A person guilty of an offence under subsection (1) is liable—
on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum; or
on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years, or a fine, or both.
Notwithstanding section 127 of the Magistrates' Courts Act 1980, a magistrates' court may try an information in respect of an offence under subsection (1) whenever laid.