The Weekly Law Reports
[1968] 2 WLR 1494
[HOUSE OF LORDS]
SELVEY APPELLANT AND DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC PROSECUTIONS RESPONDENT
[ON APPEAL FROM REG. v. SELVEY]
1968 Feb. 20,
21,
22,
26,
27,
28,
29;
March 4;
May 9
March 4;
May 9
VISCOUNT DILHORNE, LORD HODSON, LORD GUEST, LORD PEARCE and LORD WILBERFORCE.
Crime
— Evidence
— Character
— Nature of defence involving imputation against prosecutor
— Discretion of judge to admit previous record
— Whether discretion unfettered
— Whether general rule limiting exercise against defence
— Defendant's refusal to admit or deny previous record
— Whether tantamount to admission
— No warning to jury that record not formally proved
— Effect
—
Criminal Evidence Act, 1898 (61 & 62 Vict. c. 36), s. 1 (f) (ii).