This is strange

[LS]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-16928122

"During the 10-day trial, the jury heard Walsh already had a previous conviction for possessing indecent images of children."

I must have got it all wrong. I thought previous convictions were kept from juries.

[RFLH]

http://www.cps.gov.uk/legal/d_to_g/d...ion_witnesses/

[LS]

That's all about disclosure of previous convictions in case it undermines the prosecution case.
Nothing about disclosure of the defendant's convictions in case it undermines the defence's case.

[RFLH]

oh bum! I just skim read it, serves me right!

[Saffron]

I understood that previous convictions can be disclosed in the prosecution make an application to the judge that prior convictions have a bearing on the current case. I think this is fairly recent legislation, about 4 years or so ago.

[RFLH]

thanks Saffron - that's what I was thinking of!


http://www.cps.gov.uk/legal/a_to_c/b...acter_evidence

[Rights Fighter]

If the previous is relevant to the case in hand then the evidence is allowed in.