Section 5: Rape of a child under 13

Sexual Offences Act 2003 (2003 c. 42)

(1) A person commits an offence if—

(a) he intentionally penetrates the vagina, anus or mouth of another person with his penis, and

(b) the other person is under 13.

(2) A person guilty of an offence under this section is liable, on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for life.

Reproduced from legislation.gov.uk as captured on 2026-08-27. Statute is amended over time — check the source below for the version in force. This is a reference, not legal advice.

View s.5 on legislation.gov.uk

Where this section is applied on BlueLineHub

Officer reference cards that cite this provision.

Offence cards

Rape of a child under 13

s.4 Causing a person to engage in sexual activity without consent s.6 Assault of a child under 13 by penetration

Source: legislation.gov.uk, Crown copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0.