R v B, P

The appeal concerned convictions for sexual offences against a child. The appellant argued that the verdicts of guilty could not be supported by the evidence, and that the proceedings constituted an abuse of process due to a significant delay in prosecution. The court was required to determine whether the evidence was sufficient to sustain the convictions, and whether the delay in bringing the charges prejudiced the appellant or otherwise rendered the proceedings an abuse of process.

The court considered the appellant's argument that the delay in prosecution compromised the jury's ability to evaluate the evidence. However, the court found that the delay did not materially undermine the victim's evidence, and that any doubt arising from inconsistencies was capable of being removed by the weight of her testimony. The court also found that the delay was not part of a calculated strategy of oppression, and that the police's secondary role in taking an initial statement for another jurisdiction likely contributed to the delay. Ultimately, the court concluded that the convictions were supported by the evidence.

The appeal was dismissed.