A trial judge's direction asking whether the jury 'believes' the accused does not constitute appealable error where the summing up as a whole makes clear that the burden remains on the Crown to prove guilt beyond reasonable doubt and the direction is not framed as a 'mere choice' between competing versions. Defence counsel cannot suggest deliberate contamination of exhibits to the jury absent an evidentiary foundation established in cross-examination, though accidental contamination may be raised. The murder sentence of 20 years was manifestly inadequate for a motiveless, brutal murder committed in the course of other violent offences, and was increased to 24 years.
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