(1)A person guilty of an offence under section 45 is liable on summary conviction—
(a)in the case of an offence under subsection (1) or (5), to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale;
(b)in the case of an offence under subsection (4), (7), (8) or (9), to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months or to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale or to both.
(2)Proceedings for an offence under section 45(1) relating to the duty imposed by section 32 (duty to send annual return to Certification Officer) may be commenced at any time before the end of the period of three years beginning with the date when the offence was committed.
(3)Proceedings for any other offence under section 45(1) may be commenced—
(a)at any time before the end of the period of six months beginning with the date when the offence was committed, or
(b)at any time after the end of that period but before the end of the period of twelve months beginning with the date when evidence sufficient in the opinion of the Certification Officer or, in Scotland, the procurator fiscal, to justify the proceedings came to his knowledge;
but no proceedings may be commenced by virtue of paragraph (b) after the end of the period of three years beginning with the date when the offence was committed.
(4)For the purposes of subsection (3)(b), a certificate signed by or on behalf of the Certification Officer or the procurator fiscal which states the date on which evidence sufficient in his opinion to justify the proceedings came to his knowledge shall be conclusive evidence of that fact.
(5)A certificate stating that matter and purporting to be so signed shall be deemed to be so signed unless the contrary is proved.
(6)For the purposes of this section—
(a)in England and Wales, proceedings are commenced when an information is laid, and
(b)in Scotland, subsection (3) of [F2section 136 of the Criminal Procedure (Svotland) Act 1995]] (date of commencement of proceedings) applies as it applies for the purposes of that section.
Textual Amendments
F1S 45A inserted (30.8.1993) by 1993 c. 19, s. 11(2); S.I. 1993/1908, art. 2(1), Sch. 1
F2Words in s. 45A(6) substituted (1.4.1996) by 1995 c. 40, ss. 5, 7(2), Sch. 4 para. 85