A Longman warning requires three distinct elements: (1) an explanation of why delay creates danger for the accused; (2) a warning of the danger itself, using words such as 'dangerous to convict' or words of equivalent strength; and (3) advice on how the danger may be avoided through careful scrutiny. Directions that explain the reasons for caution and advise on scrutiny but fail to administer the warning itself — conveying the danger of a miscarriage of justice — amount to a comment rather than a warning and do not comply with Longman. The proviso may apply differently to corroborated and uncorroborated counts on the same indictment: where a count is corroborated by independent eyewitness testimony and the Crown case is overwhelming, conviction may be inevitable notwithstanding an inadequate Longman warning.
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