Section 17 - Meaning and use of threats

(1) In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires, “threat” means

(a) a threat of criminal force or harm, or

(b) a threat of criminal damage to property, or

(c) a threat of libel or of slander, or

(d) a threat that a person shall be prosecuted on a charge of having committed an offence, whether the alleged offence is punishable under this Act or under any other enactment, and whether it has or has not been committed, or

(e) a threat that a person shall be detained.

(2) An expression in this Act referring to a threat includes an offer to abstain from doing, or to procure any other person to abstain from doing, anything the threat of which is a threat under subsection (1).

(3) It is immaterial whether the matter of the threat will be executed by the person using the threat or against or in relation to the person to whom the threat is used, or by, or against, or in relation to any other person.

(4) It is immaterial whether a threat or offer is conveyed to a person by words, or by writing, or in any other manner, and whether it is conveyed directly, or through any other person, or in any other manner.