A Longman direction that does not use the words 'dangerous to convict' or 'warn' may still be adequate if it conveys the essential elements: identification of forensic disadvantage from delay, direction to scrutinise with great care, and that the jury can only convict if convinced of truth and accuracy. However, the Bench Book formulation including those words should be followed unless there are compelling reasons not to do so. The phrase 'lost the opportunity to prove or disprove the allegation' is synonymous with the Longman formulation of losing the 'means of testing and meeting' the allegations.
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