9Procedure and evidence in respect of offences

9 Procedure and evidence in respect of offences

(1)  *[Section 9 Subsection (1) amended by No. 62 of 1984, s. 8 ]*In any proceedings for an offence under this Act against the occupier of a shop, it is sufficient in the complaint in respect of the offence to allege that a building, a part of a building, or place, or other premises is a shop and to state the name of its ostensible occupier or the style or title under which the occupier is usually known or carries on business, and the complaint may from time to time be amended as to the name of the actual occupier.

(2)  If the court hearing a complaint under this Act thinks fit, several complaints relating to offences under this Act or, with the consent of the parties, complaints laid against several parties in respect of such offences, may be heard together, and in any such case, a witness sworn to give evidence in respect of the complaint shall for all purposes be deemed to be a witness in respect of each complaint.

(3)  A copy of a record or part of a record made under section 7 (2) (b) is admissible in proceedings for an offence against section 5 as evidence of the matters specified in the record or part of the record.