The 'specified period' in a course of conduct charge under cl 4A of Schedule 1 of the Criminal Procedure Act 2009 (Vic) is a pleading requirement, not an element of the offence that must be proved beyond reasonable doubt. Prosecutors must not submit to juries that course of conduct charges are 'easy to prove', as such submissions risk eroding the burden and standard of proof. A trial judge's directions can cure erroneous prosecutorial submissions about the requirements for course of conduct charges where the directions clearly and correctly state the law.
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