Whereas in some parts of the United Kingdom men clandestinely and unlawfully assembled have practised military training and exercise, to the great terror and alarm of his Majesty's peaceable and loyal subjects, and the imminent danger of the public peace:
[1.] All meetings and assemblies of persons for the purpose of training or drilling themselves, or of being trained or drilled to the use of arms, or for the purpose of practising military exercise, movements, or evolutions, without any lawful authority from his Majesty, or the lieutenant, or two justices of the peace of any county or riding, by commission or otherwise, for so doing, shall be and the same are hereby prohibited as dangerous to the peace and security of his Majesty's liege subjects and of his government;
and every person who shall be present at or attend any such meeting or assembly for the purpose of training and drilling any other person or persons to the use of arms or the practise of military exercise, movements, or evolutions,
or who shall train or drill any other person or persons to the use of arms or the practice of military exercise, movements, or evolutions,
or who shall aid or assist therein,
being legally convicted thereof, shall be liable to be transported for any term not exceeding seven years, or to be punished by imprisonment not exceeding two years, at the discretion of the court in which such conviction shall be had;
and every person who shall attend or be present at any such meeting or assembly as aforesaid, for the purpose of being, or who shall at any such meeting or assembly be trained or drilled to the use of arms, or the practice of military exercise, movements, or evolutions,
being legally convicted thereof, shall be liable to be punished
by fine and imprisonment not exceeding two years, at the discretion
of the court in which such conviction shall be had.
[Note: The above section is one continuous paragraph,
divided here for comprehensibility.]
2. It shall be lawful for any justice of the peace or for
any constable or peace officer, or for any other person acting in
their aid or assistance, to disperse any such unlawful meeting or
assembly as aforesaid, and to arrest and detain any person present
at or aiding, assisting, or abetting any such assembly or meeting
as aforesaid;……
[Note: … repealed by Courts Act 1971 (c.23), Sch.II
Pt.IV]
3. The [sheriffs principal Note: Words
substituted by virtue of Sheriff Courts (Scotland) Act 1971 (c.58),
s.4] and their substitutes, justices of the peace, magistrates
of royal burghs, and all other inferior judges and magistrates, and
also all high and petty constables, or other peace officers, of any
county, city or town within Scotland, shall have such and the same
powers and authorities for putting this present Act in execution
within Scotland, as the justices of the peace and other magistrates
and peace officers and constables aforesaid respectively have, by
virtue of this Act, within and for other parts of the United
Kingdom.
[Note: Functions of Burgh magistrates now exerciseable by
justice of the peace: District Courts (Scotland) Act 1975
(c.20),s.1(2).]
4. Provided also, that nothing in this Act contained shall extend to prevent any prosecution, by indictment or otherwise, for any thing which shall be an offence within the intent and meaning of this Act, and which might have been so prosecuted if this Act had not been made, unless the offender shall have been prosecuted for such offence under this Act, and convicted or acquitted of such offence.
5,6. ……
[Note: … repealed by Public Authorities Protection Act
1893 (c.61), Sch.]
7. Provided always, that no person shall be prosecuted by virtue of this Act for any thing done or committed contrary to the provisions herein-before contained, unless such prosecution shall be commenced within six calendar months after the offence committed.
8. ……
[Note: … repealed by Statute Law Revision Act 1873
(c.91)]
Notes