A Crown prosecutor who raises the subject of an accused's good character by direct questioning cannot then use the accused's response as a trigger for cross-examination about prior convictions under s 15 of the Evidence Act 1977 (Qld). A prior conviction for assault against the same complainant lacks capacity to diminish the accused's credibility as a witness, and its admission under s 15 in a word-against-word case will likely constitute reversible error because the prejudicial effect far outweighs any legitimate evidentiary effect on credit. Evidence of a prior assault against the same complainant may, however, be admissible as part of the Crown case on other bases (relationship evidence, motive, rebutting provocation), subject to appropriate directions.
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