R v Accused (CA 260/92) - [1993] 2 NZLR 286

Criminal law — Practice and procedure — Trial — Sexual offences — Delay in complaint — Whether delay sufficient to amount to unfairness or abuse of process — Possibility of delay being insufficient to establish general unfairness or abuse without proof of specific prejudice.

Criminal law — Evidence — Sexual offences — Whether complaint not recent admissible to rebut allegation of recent fabrication.

Criminal law — Sentence — Sexual offences against children over lengthy period from 19 years to five years before trial — Solicitor — General's appeal successful — Four and a half years' imprisonment appropriate.