Quote:
"The Criminal Damage Act 1971 creates two levels of offence, a summary offence and a more serious offence that can be tried either in the magistrates' court or in the Crown Court.
The summary offence triable only by magistrates is limited to damage to property worth less than �5000. The offender can receive a maximum 3 month prison sentence and/or a Level 4 fine.
Higher value criminal damage cases are heard either in the magistrates' court or in the Crown Court. The more serious cases heard in the magistrates' court attract a maximum prison sentence of 6 months and a Level 5 fine. The serious cases heard in Crown Court can receive a maximum penalty of 10 years imprisonment."
Source (Norfolk Police):
http://www.norfolk.police.uk/article.cfm?artID =8892&catID=861&bctrail=0
Explanation:
Level 4 fine = �2500 maximum.
Level 5 fine = �5000 maximum.
Chris