The defendant appealed his conviction complaining of the judge’s direction to the jury with regard to the admission and treatment of his previous convictions.
Held: The judge’s direction was impeccable, and indeed model. The jury should be warned clearly that a previous conviction on its own was insufficient to justify a conviction. He was not to be convicted because of his bad character. The jury should ask themselves whether the applicant’s character assisted them in considering if he were guilty.
Judges:
Rose LJ, Holland J, McCombe J
Citations:
Times 09-Sep-2005
Jurisdiction:
England and Wales
Criminal Practice
Updated: 07 May 2022; Ref: scu.230065