In the present case, both requirements were met, the reliability requirement being satisfied because the statements had been made in circumstances which provided sufficient guarantees of their trustworthiness.

When assessing the admissibility of hearsay evidence, “the scope of the inquiry must be tailored to the particular dangers presented by the evidence and limited to determining the evidentiary question of admissibility” (Khelawon, at para.

The function of corroborative evidence at the threshold reliability stage is to mitigate the need for cross-examination, not generally, but on the point that the hearsay is tendered to prove.