Giving or fabricating false evidence with intent to procure conviction of capital offence; if innocent person be thereby convicted and executed

Whoever gives or fabricates false evidence, intending thereby to cause, or knowing it to be likely that he will thereby cause, any person to be convicted of an offence which is capital by any law for the time being in force, shall be punished with 64[imprisonment] for life, or with rigorous imprisonment for a term which may extend to ten years, and shall also be liable to fine; and if an innocent person be convicted and executed in consequence of such false evidence, the person who gives such false evidence shall be punished either with death or the punishment herein before described.