26(1)Section 270 (community punishments: general restrictions etc.) is amended as follows.
(2)After subsection (6) insert—
“(6A)The fact that by virtue of any provision of this section—
(a)a community punishment may be awarded in respect of an offence, or
(b)particular restrictions on liberty may be imposed by a community punishment,
does not require a court to award such a punishment or to impose those restrictions.”
(3)Subsection (7) is omitted.
(4)In subsection (8)—
(a)the word “Accordingly” is omitted; and
(b)for “151(2) of the 2003 Act as applied by this section” substitute “270B(4)”.