 Section 4 of the 1971 Act sets out that offences under sections 1 ( 2 ) and 1 ( 3 ) are punishable by a maximum term of life imprisonment and all others by a maximum of ten years ' imprisonment . Section 30 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 sets out a higher maximum of 14 years ' imprisonment for racially or religiously aggravated offences other than those already carrying a maximum of life imprisonment . 
