What must the prosecution prove in a strict liability offence?

In a strict liability offence, the prosecution must demonstrate that the act was performed by the accused. Strict liability offences do not require proof of intent or mens rea; instead, they focus solely on whether the accused committed the specified act. This reflects the principle that certain actions, regardless of intent, can pose a risk to public safety or welfare, and thus, holding individuals accountable without requiring proof of wrongful intent aligns with maintaining societal standards and ensuring compliance with regulations.

In such cases, the law primarily looks at the action itself, and it is sufficient for the prosecution to establish that the defendant engaged in the prohibited conduct. This approach is often applied to regulatory offences, where the emphasis is on enforcement and public interest rather than the moral culpability of the defendant. The intent of the accused, circumstances leading to the act, or the harm caused to the victim are not essential elements in strict liability cases, as the focus is solely on the act itself and whether it occurred.