R v Accused (CA 298/88) - [1989] 2 NZLR 698

Criminal law — Evidence — Corroboration — Sexual offences — Whether Judge was required to warn jury that it was dangerous to convict on the uncorroborated evidence of a child.

Criminal law — Practice and procedure — Trial — Summing up — Pre-trial publicity — Alibi — On evening before trial on sexual offences television programme on child sexual abuse was screened — Judge warned jury about programme at commencement of trial but omitted any reference to it in his summing up — Accused called alibi evidence as to one of alleged sexual offences — Whether Judge had properly directed jury about television programme — Whether Judge's directions to jury on alibi were adequate.

Criminal law — Sentence — Indecent assault on girl under age of 12 years and attempting to induce girl to do indecent act upon him — Accused was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment — Whether sentence was manifestly excessive — Crimes Act 1961, s 133.