Character Reference for Court.

[aroseinexile]

In brief,

I worked with a guy a couple of years ago in an education setting. We have kept in touch from time to time and he lives around the corner from me. He moved on from my workplace under a bit of a cloud. He didn't last long in his new job (in the same role)and has been drifting around in a variety of temporary jobs for the past year.
He has asked me to consider providing him with a character reference for an up and coming court appearance. For context, I hadn't seen or heard from him since around October last year and I must point out that I had heard a few 'rumours' he was in trouble. I bumped into him on the day lockdown was announced on my daily walk and the email asking for a reference came about 10 days ago.
I don't want to put full details of what his crime is (it is quite identifiable) but it involves violence against some guys who live in the area and possession.
In fairness, I always got along with him and only saw a professional side of him when I worked alongside him, but I know others will disagree. I was also junior to him and not sure how this would look to a court.

How binding is a character reference? and do you have to stand up in court? Apologies but this is so far out of my experience.
I am a regular who has name changed. Thank you in advance.

You barely know him, and you do know he left your workplace under a cloud. Why would you stand up in court and swear that to your knowledge he's a person of good character?
It says a lot that he's reduced to asking you, tbh. No offence.

A character reference is usually used when someone has pleaded guilty or been found guilty. It is used by the court to help determine the sentence. You won't have to stand up in court.

It may help you to look at gqs-solicitors.co.uk/news/articles-and-blogs/post/character-references

Thank you @thisismytimetoahine. No offence taken. I am extremely shocked to be approached and it's a sign of desperation I think.
It's odd as it looks like any of his character references would go to court. I guess the "other side" have witnesses refuting his defence claims..
a sorry state of affairs - thanks for taking time to reply.

Do you actually want to vouch for him?

The part of the advice linked above that sticks out to me is this:

If you don’t have anything nice to say about the defendant, it is best that you decline to provide a reference at all.

What could you honestly state as fact that might help him? You don't know him well, haven't seen him for a while, think he's a bit dubious.