Designating an offence as 'the first occasion' in a series of alleged sexual offences is insufficient particularisation where no objective external fact or event distinguishes that occasion from others in the series. However, identification by reference to a recent time period combined with a distinguishing circumstance (such as the accused being off work due to rain) may be sufficient. Where evidence of other sexual acts is led in support of a specifically charged offence, the trial judge must direct the jury on the proper use of that evidence and must not describe the charges as 'representative charges' without such a direction.
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