The 'specified period' in a course of conduct charge under cl 4A(2)(c) of sch 1 to the Criminal Procedure Act 2009 (Vic) is a matter of particulars, not an element of the offence. Where a complainant gives evidence of offending outside the specified period, the prosecution may seek leave to amend the indictment to expand the period. Evidence of offending outside the specified period does not, without more, give rise to a successful no case submission where there remains ample evidence of offending within the specified period.
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