A Longman direction must not be framed as a question whether the accused has lost a fair trial, nor invite the jury to determine whether the accused has been disadvantaged by delay. The direction must proceed on the irrebuttable presumption that delay has prevented the accused from adequately testing and meeting the complainant's evidence, and must explain the specific forensic disadvantages including the loss of ability to explore circumstances, adduce evidence, and effectively cross-examine. The Beserick warning regarding uncharged acts need not be given at the time the evidence is first led if it is given in the summing-up, provided the trial is of short duration and no miscarriage results.
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