Prosecutions
I1I430Power of local authority to prosecute offences
A local authority in England or Wales may prosecute proceedings for any offence under this Act.
I2I331Time limits for prosecutions
1
Notwithstanding anything in section 127(1) of the Magistrates' Courts Act 1980 (c. 43), a magistrates' court may try an information relating to an offence under this Act if the information is laid—
a
before the end of the period of three years beginning with the date of the commission of the offence, and
b
before the end of the period of six months beginning with the date on which evidence which the prosecutor thinks is sufficient to justify the proceedings comes to his knowledge.
2
For the purposes of subsection (1)(b)—
a
a certificate signed by or on behalf of the prosecutor and stating the date on which such evidence came to his knowledge shall be conclusive evidence of that fact, and
b
a certificate stating that matter and purporting to be so signed shall be treated as so signed unless the contrary is proved.