71A Prosecutions: time limit

1

Despite anything in section 127(1) of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 an information relating to an offence under this Act which is triable by a magistrates’ court in England and Wales may be so tried if it is laid at any time—

a

within the period of three years starting with the date of the commission of the offence, and

b

within the period of six months starting with the day on which evidence which the prosecutor thinks is sufficient to justify the proceedings comes to his knowledge.

2

A certificate by the prosecutor as to the date on which such evidence came to his knowledge is conclusive evidence of that fact.