Where charges are joined in a single trial, the trial judge must direct the jury to consider each count separately, to consider only the evidence relevant to each count, that they may return different verdicts, and that conviction on one count should not be taken into account when considering the other. Failure to give such a direction constitutes an error of law that denies the accused a procedurally fair trial, precluding application of the proviso under s 668E(1A) Criminal Code (Qld). A propensity warning is not required merely because an accused is charged with multiple counts of the same or similar offences where the counts are closely connected and aspects of the evidence are cross-admissible.
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