191Effects of probation and absolute discharge
(1)Subject as hereinafter provided, a conviction of an offence for which an order is made under this Part of this Act placing the offender on probation or discharging him absolutely shall be deemed not to be a conviction for any purpose other than the purposes of the proceedings in which the order is made and of laying it before a court as a previous conviction in subsequent proceedings for another offence:
Provided that where an offender, being not less than 16 years of age at the time of his conviction of an offence for which he is placed on probation as aforesaid, is subsequently sentenced under this Act for that offence, the provisions of this subsection shall cease to apply to the conviction.
(2)Without prejudice to the foregoing provisions of this section, the conviction of an offender who is placed on probation or discharged absolutely as aforesaid shall in any event be disregarded for the purposes of any enactment which imposes any disqualification or disability upon convicted persons, or authorises or requires the imposition of any such disqualification or disability.
(3)The foregoing provisions of this section shall not affect—
(a)any right of any such offender as aforesaid to appeal against his conviction ; or
(b)the operation, in relation to any such offender, of any enactment which was in force as at the commencement of section 9 (3)(b) of the [1949 c. 94.] Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 1949 and is expressed to extend to persons dealt with under section 1(1) of the [1907 c. 17.] Probation of Offenders Act 1907 as well as to convicted persons.
(4)Where a person charged with an offence has at any time previously been placed on probation or discharged absolutely in respect of the commission by him of an offence it shall be competent, in the proceedings for that offence, to bring before the court the probation order or order of absolute discharge in like manner as if the order were a conviction.