Where inadmissible evidence of uncharged sexual acts emerges unexpectedly during a trial, the trial judge has a duty to give adequate directions regarding its use, even where no objection or redirection is sought by defence counsel. A brief or dismissive reference to such evidence in the summing-up is insufficient; at minimum, a forceful direction to ignore the evidence entirely is required, and discharge of the jury may be necessary. A Longman warning is not imperative where the delay is approximately four years and no specific forensic disadvantage is demonstrated.
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