Previous convictions: Should juries be told?

Barry George has begun his life sentence for the murder of BBC TV presenter Jill Dando.

George had past convictions for attempted rape and indecent assault, but these were not disclosed to the jury.

Under government plans all previous convictions would be revealed to the court during the trial.

But lawyer and Labour Peer Baroness Kennedy says the suggested changes could lead juries such as that in the Dando case to rush to judgement.

Should juries be told about previous convictions? Will it lead to rush judgements?

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