8 May 1998
The judge's questions were proper, restrained clarifications necessitated by inadequate cross-examination and did not demonstrate bias; although a passage in the summing up used language suggestive of probability, that passage must be read in context with correct standard directions given elsewhere and the misdirection was immaterial. The application for leave to appeal is dismissed.
24 Mar 1987
The judge's interventions, though searching, did not cross the line into demonstrating disbelief or depriving the appellant of a fair trial; the summing-up and directions about the contested confession were adequate and fair; the presumptions arising from possession were properly available to the jury; the seven-year sentence fell within the established tariff for the quantity involved and was not manifestly excessive, therefore both applications for leave to appeal were dismissed.
10 Jan 1984
The judge's invitation to the accused to make an unsupervised statement was improper but not so prejudicial as to affect the jury's verdict; the conviction was therefore upheld and the 12-year sentence was not excessive and was affirmed.