R v Jude Blackman

R v Jude Blackman

The trial judge was entitled to admit the previous convictions as evidence of propensity to supply Class A drugs. The offences, though dated and committed when the appellant was young, formed part of a sequence of similar offending and had sufficient probative value. The judge's decision was not plainly wrong or unreasonable, and the prosecution case was not weak even without the bad character evidence. The convictions are safe.

Parties
Prosecution: Rex; Appellant: Jude Blackman
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
29 July 2025
Procedural Posture
Criminal Appeal / Judgment on Appeal Against Conviction
Outcome
appeal dismissed
Legal Topics
Bad Character Evidence, Possession With Intent to Supply, Admissibility of Previous Convictions, Propensity, Fairness of Proceedings
Criminal Law Bad Character Evidence Possession With Intent to Supply Admissibility of Previous Convictions Propensity Fairness of Proceedings

Case Brief

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Parties

Rex

Prosecution

Jude Blackman

Appellant

Procedural Posture

Criminal Appeal / Judgment on Appeal Against Conviction

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether the appellant's previous convictions for drug supply demonstrated a propensity to act as alleged and were admissible
  2. 2 Whether the age of the previous offences and the appellant's age at the time rendered the convictions inadmissible
  3. 3 Whether the admission of previous convictions unfairly bolstered a weak prosecution case

Ratio Decidendi

The trial judge was entitled to admit the previous convictions as evidence of propensity to supply Class A drugs. The offences, though dated and committed when the appellant was young, formed part of a sequence of similar offending and had sufficient probative value. The judge's decision was not plainly wrong or unreasonable, and the prosecution case was not weak even without the bad character evidence. The convictions are safe.

Court Disposition

appeal dismissed

Orders

  • Appeal against conviction dismissed
  • Order under section 4(2) of the Contempt of Court Act 1981 postponing reporting is discharged