Criminal Justice Act (Northern Ireland) 1966 (c. 20)

PART I N.I. Provisions as to criminal responsibility

4 Inference, from conduct, of knowledge or state of mind. N.I.

(1) Where on a charge for an offence it is necessary to determine the knowledge or state of mind of a person at any time the jury or, in the case of a summary trial, the court, may infer that that person at that time—

(a) had knowledge of his conduct and of the natural and probable consequences of that conduct; and

(b) either intended those consequences, or, if he did not intend them, was reckless as to whether or not they would ensue from that conduct.

(2) The jury, or in the case of a summary trial, the court, shall not be bound to make an inference mentioned in subsection (1) or to disregard any other inference or evidence relevant to the knowledge or state of mind of any person whose knowledge or state of mind is in issue.

(3) Subsection (1) shall not be taken to affect any rule of law governing the decision of questions as to a person's capacity or any special provision made by or under any enactment (including this Act).