18A.—(1) A person shall be guilty of an offence under this section if he or she commits an offence under section 18 which is aggravated by hatred for the purposes of this section.

(2) A person guilty of an offence under this section shall be liable—

(a) on summary conviction, to a class B fine or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or to both, or

(b) on conviction on indictment, to a fine or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 7 years or to both.

(3) A person charged with an offence under this section may, if the evidence does not warrant conviction for an offence under this section, be found guilty of an offence under section 18.]