A person commits an offence if he knowingly gives or causes to be given a false alarm of fire to a person acting on behalf of a fire and rescue authority.
A person guilty of an offence under subsection (1) is liable on summary conviction—
to a fine not exceeding level 4 on the standard scale,
to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 51 weeks, or
to both.
In relation to an offence committed before the commencement of section 281(5) of the Criminal Justice Act 2003 (c. 44), the reference in subsection (2)(b) to 51 weeks is to be read as a reference to 3 months.