2 Nov 2004
Leave to appeal was denied because the trial judge was entitled to rely on unobjected oral statements and to prefer the victim's account over the applicant's, the applicant's alternative defence lacked evidentiary support, and the late allegation regarding counsel's advice was not credible and did not justify interference with the conviction.
17 Feb 1997
The appeal was dismissed because the magistrate gave sufficient assistance to the unrepresented appellant within his duty without improperly conducting the defence, the refusal to adjourn was a valid exercise of discretion given the speculative nature of the proposed witnesses and the appellant's prior opportunities, there was no evidence before the court of the appellant's good character so no direction was required, and there was no basis to treat the oral statement as involuntary; accordingly the appellant was not prejudiced and had a fair trial.