Police complaint records (COPS entries) adduced as motive evidence may be excluded under ss 135/137 of the Evidence Act 1995 where they carry a danger of unfair prejudice to the accused's credibility, particularly where some entries are irrelevant to any fact in issue and no limiting direction is given. However, the wrongful admission of such evidence will not necessarily lead to a conviction being set aside where the remaining evidence of guilt is overwhelming and the proviso under s 6(1) Criminal Appeal Act 1912 applies.
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