Where an accused admits physical contact with a child but denies sexual purpose, and the acts do not unequivocally offer a sexual connotation, the trial judge must specifically direct the jury that the conduct is only indecent if they are satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that the accused's motive was sexual. A general Liberato direction and summary of defence arguments are insufficient substitutes. Standard admissions directions are inapposite where the record of interview is essentially a denial; a tailored direction dealing separately with inculpatory and exculpatory parts is required. The preferred De Silva formulation for the second limb of the Liberato direction is not mandatory but may be important where other aspects of the summing-up are deficient.
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