[2004] EWCA Crim 1074

If a defendant had a previous conviction that because of its age or its nature could have entitled him to be treated as of effective good character, the trial judge had a discretion so to treat him. Where the previous conviction could only have been regarded as irrelevant or of no significance in relation to the offence charged, that discretion ought to be exercised in favour of treating the defendant as of good character.

CA (Crim Div) (Rix LJ, Keith J, Judge Paget QC)

30/04/2004