Offence
Use threatening / abusive / insulting words / behaviour with intent to cause fear of / provoke unlawful violence
How often this offence appears in the published court listings for England and Wales, which courts list it most and where to read the official sentencing guideline.
- Hearings listed
- 3,079
- Upcoming hearings
- 55
- Next listed date
- Mon, 26 October 2026
- Courts listing it
- 138
- Heard in
- Magistrates' Court (3,079)
- Sentencing guideline
- Threatening behaviour – fear or provocation of violence/ Racially or religiously aggravated threatening behaviour – fear or provocation of violence
- Official offence code
- PU86004
- The law
- Contrary to section 4(1)(a) and (4) of the Public Order Act 1986.
- Where it can be tried
- Magistrates' court only
- Can lead to prison
- Yes
Courts that list it most
- Manchester Magistrates' Court (112 hearings)
- Bristol Magistrates' Court (94 hearings)
- Highbury Corner Magistrates' Court (78 hearings)
- Birmingham Magistrates' Court (69 hearings)
- Leicester Magistrates' Court (69 hearings)
- Nottingham Magistrates' Court (66 hearings)
- Westminster Magistrates' Court (65 hearings)
- Croydon Magistrates' Court (64 hearings)
- Warrington Magistrates' Court (60 hearings)
- Chester Magistrates' Court (56 hearings)
- Sheffield Magistrates' Court (55 hearings)
- Bromley Magistrates' Court (53 hearings)
- Leeds District Magistrates' Court (53 hearings)
- Lincoln Magistrates' Court (45 hearings)
- Liverpool & Knowsley Magistrates' Court (45 hearings)
Related offences
- Use threatening / abusive / insulting words / behaviour to cause harassment / alarm / distress
- On account of persons sex use threatening / abusive / insulting words / behaviour to cause harassment / alarm / distress
- Use threatening / abusive words / behaviour likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress
- Possess an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence
- Racially / religiously aggravated fear / provocation of violence by words / writing / behaviour
- Attempt to cause grievous bodily harm with intent to do grievous bodily harm
- Burglary dwelling - with intent to cause damage
- Possess with intent to supply a controlled drug of Class B - Cannabis