Debate contribution: Victims and Witnesses of Crime Bill: Second Stage

Debate contribution by Mr Jon Burrows on 30 June 2026.

MLA: Mr Jon Burrows
Party at the time: Ulster Unionist Party
Date: 30 June 2026
Type: Debate contribution
Business: Executive Committee Business
Heading: Victims and Witnesses of Crime Bill: Second Stage
Assembly identifier: Official Report component 5653463

Text

I agree entirely. Pre-conviction references in what would be classed almost as clandestine crimes — crimes that are committed out of public sight — are practically valueless because what the public or your work colleagues see is entirely different from how you behave at home or online. Therefore, they have really limited value. Frankly, I do not know why anybody would give a post-conviction character reference because, a, its value is so limited and, b, they trash their own character.

80 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.

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