Prosecutions

Time limits for prosecutions
31
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.
S. 31 in force at 27.3.2007 for W. by S.I. 2007/1030, art. 2(1)(e)
S. 31 in force at 6.4.2007 for E. by S.I. 2007/499, art. 2(2)(g)