Describing a charged sexual offence as the 'first occasion' will ordinarily be insufficient particularisation where the offence was one of a number allegedly occurring in the distant past over a lengthy period and there is no objective fact or event to which the charged event can be related. However, where a small number of events are alleged within a short, recent timeframe, 'first occasion' may suffice. The sufficiency of particulars must be assessed by reference to all relevant circumstances of the individual case. Describing the offence as the 'first occasion' combined with a consequence personal to the complainant but not overt (such as loss of virginity) does not advance particularisation.
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