The Electricity (Single Wholesale Market) (Northern Ireland) Order 2007

4.—(1) A person is guilty of an offence if he fails to comply with a requirement imposed on him under paragraph 1 or 2.

(2) If a person is charged with an offence under sub-paragraph (1) in respect of a requirement to produce a document, it is a defence for him to prove—

(a) that the document was not in his possession or under his control; and

(b) that it was not reasonably practicable for him to comply with the requirement.

(3) If a person is charged with an offence under sub-paragraph (1) in respect of a requirement—

(a) to provide information,

(b) to provide an explanation of a document, or

(c) to state where a document is to be found,

it is a defence for him to prove that he had a reasonable excuse for failing to comply with the requirement.

(4) Failure to comply with a requirement imposed under paragraph 1 is not an offence if the person imposing the requirement has failed to act in accordance with that paragraph.

(5) A person is guilty of an offence if he intentionally obstructs any other person acting in the exercise of his powers under paragraph 1.

(6) A person guilty of an offence under sub-paragraph (1) or (5) is liable—

(a) on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum;

(b) on conviction on indictment, to a fine.

(7) A person who intentionally obstructs any other person in the exercise of his powers under a warrant issued under paragraph 2 is guilty of an offence.

(8) A person is guilty of an offence if, having been required to produce a document under paragraph 1 or 2—

(a) he intentionally or recklessly destroys or otherwise disposes of it, falsifies it or conceals it, or

(b) he causes or permits its destruction, disposal, falsification or concealment.

(9) If information is provided by a person to an investigating officer in pursuance of a requirement imposed under paragraph 1 or 2, that person is guilty of an offence if—

(a) the information is false or misleading in a material particular, and

(b) he knows that it is or is reckless as to whether it is.

(10) A person guilty of an offence under sub-paragraph (7), (8) or (9) is liable—

(a) on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum;

(b) on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or to a fine or to both.