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Written Question
Obscenity: Prosecutions
Monday 25th March 2019

Asked by: Baroness Howe of Idlicote (Crossbench - Life peer)

Question to the Attorney General:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the (1) Director of Public Prosecutions, and (2) Crown Prosecution Service, on whether an imported child sex doll falls within the definition of an obscene article under the Customs Consolidation Act 1876.

Answered by Lord Keen of Elie - Shadow Minister (Justice)

The Crown Prosecution Service has prosecuted the importation of child sex dolls under the provisions of the Customs Consolidation Act 1876, in conjunction with the Customs and Excise Management Act 1979, where there is sufficient evidence to do so and a prosecution is required in the public interest. The CPS intends to issue guidance to assist prosecutors considering such allegations shortly.