In the High Court, a life sentence is theoretically possible, and a sentence of 8 years was recently imposed. In Scotland there also exists the common law crime of threats. There is a completed crime in such cases as soon as the threat is made, for example, by posting a threatening letter. The second class comprises all other threats including threats of violence not amounting to grievous harm. Clearly threats of violence could also be charged as breach of the peace if the conduct involved puts someone in a state of fear or alarm.
Remedies designed to deal with harassment are also available in civil law.
A court can impose the remedy of interdict. An interdict is a court order that prohibits behaviour by the person named in the order from taking any action specified in the order. An interdict can be obtained quickly on an interim basis. A person who breaches an interdict is liable to be held in contempt of court. This could bring a penalty of up to two years in prison.