Effect of previous convictions and of offending while on bail
37.—(1) In considering the seriousness of any offence, the court may take into account any previous convictions of the offender or any failure of his to respond to previous sentences.
(2) In considering the seriousness of any offence committed while the offender was on bail, the court shall treat the fact that it was committed in those circumstances as an aggravating factor.
(3) A probation order or conditional discharge order made before 1 the coming into operation of this Part (which, by virtue of section 1 or 5 of the [1950 c. 7 (N.I.).] Probation Act (Northern Ireland) 1950, would otherwise not be a sentence for the purposes of this Article) is to be treated as a sentence for those purposes.
(4) A conviction in respect of which a probation order or an order discharging the offender absolutely or conditionally was made before the coming into operation of this Part (which, by virtue of section 8 of that Act, would otherwise not be a conviction for those purposes) is to be treated as a conviction for those purposes.
(5) A conditional discharge order made after the coming into operation of this Part (which, by virtue of Article 4 would otherwise not be a sentence for those purposes) is to be treated as a sentence for those purposes.
(6) A conviction in respect of which an order discharging the offender absolutely or conditionally was made after the coming into operation of this Part (which, by virtue of Article 6, would otherwise not be a conviction for those purposes) is to be treated as a conviction for those purposes.