(1) Any person who begins to directly act, with the appropriate means and with the intention of committing an offence, but has been unable to complete such offence due to circumstances beyond his control, shall be culpable for the attempt.

(2) In a case of criminal attempt, depending upon the seriousness of the damage and danger that accrued, an offender shall be sentenced to a penalty of imprisonment for a term of thirteen to twenty years where the offence committed requires a penalty of aggravated life imprisonment, or to a penalty of imprisonment for a term of nine years to fifteen years where the offence committed requires a penalty of life imprisonment. Otherwise the penalty shall be reduced by one-quarter to three- quarters.