A delay of over 30 years in historical sexual offence cases, combined with the death of potential witnesses, loss of documentary evidence, and extensive discussion of allegations among family members, does not necessarily warrant a permanent stay of proceedings where the lost evidence is peripheral and the prejudice can be addressed by appropriate Longman/Crampton directions. The initiation of a police complaint by a third party (such as a family member) rather than the complainant does not render the proceedings oppressive where the complainants cooperated with the investigation for the purpose of prosecution.
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