(1) In summary authority proceedings, evidence tending to show that the accused has committed an offence other than the offence or offences in the charge sheet is not admissible unless the evidence has a specific connection to an issue before the summary authority.
(2) A specific connection between evidence and an issue is not established by evidence tending to show only that the accused has a history of committing the offence in the charge sheet.
(3) In summary authority proceedings, evidence tending to show that the accused has engaged in misconduct other than the commission of an offence is not admissible unless the evidence has a specific connection to an issue before the summary authority.
(4) A specific connection between evidence and an issue is not established by evidence tending to show only that the accused has a history of engaging in particular misconduct.
Example
If the accused person is charged with theft from an accommodation block, evidence of the person's previous convictions, or previous convictions for theft, would not be admissible.
However if:
(a) the offender left a highly distinctive graffiti symbol where the theft took place; and
(b) the accused person has a prior conviction for theft where the same distinctive graffiti symbol had been left;
the prior conviction would have a specific connection to the current charge.