CONTINUING OFFENCES

Abstract

[A continuing offence is one which takes more than one act to prove the charge. Probably the best known is consorting but there are others. New legislation has introduced some serious continuing offences. Stalking and maintaining a sexual relationship with a young person are two of them. Others are hybrids: those which can be proved by one act or many. The best examples are drug trafficking or supplying. I examine them all. They are exceptions to the basic legal principle of one criminal act for each charge. I finish with a possible jury direction.]