Criminal law – Evidence of bad character. The defendant appealed against his conviction for possessing a firearm with intent to commit an indictable offence, namely, murder and making a threat to kill, and the sentence of 12 years' imprisonment imposed. The Court of Appeal, Criminal Division, held that the convictions were safe, notwithstanding a misdirection as to bad character and the lack of an effective or qualified direction as to good character. However, it found the sentence was manifestly excessive and substituted a sentence of 10 years' custody.