Part 3Further provision relating to offences

Proceedings

19Time limit for summary proceedings

(1)

Proceedings for an offence under section 2(1) or (2) or section 14(1), (3) or (4) may be brought within the period of 6 months beginning with the date on which evidence sufficient in the opinion of the prosecutor to justify the proceedings came to the prosecutor’s knowledge.

(2)

But no such proceedings may be brought more than 3 years—

(a)

after the commission of the offence, or

(b)

in the case of an offence involving a continuous contravention, after the last date on which the offence was committed.

(3)

A certificate signed by or on behalf of the prosecutor which states the date on which evidence referred to in subsection (1) came to the prosecutor’s knowledge is conclusive evidence of that fact, and such a certificate which purports to be so signed is to be treated as being so signed unless the contrary is proved.