I have worked in the airline industry since the age of 16. I am now aged 58. I have held many senior management positions all of which involve making decisions associated with aviation safety and large amounts of finance. I would like to think I have responsibility and integrity. But alas, I find myself in an awkward situation due to past old history. I have just been offered a good position in Saudi Arabia with an airline. I have worked there before but they now have a new requirement to submit a Police Certificate as part of the work residence visa process. I cant remember the exact date but in the early eighties I was given a camera by my land lady at the time. I placed the camera in my bedroom and was not really interested in it but to my shock a few weeks later there was a police raid of the premises and the camera was seized as stolen property. My land lady was charged and I was also charged and convicted for either handling or being in procession of stolen property. (cant remember all the details). I remember being fined 75 pounds. The problem I have is that I dont know if this will appear on the PNC record. I dont feel comfortable bringing up this one and only mistake after 30+ years. The application form for ACRO Police Certificates or access (SAR) request seems farcical as there is a question asking you to tick a box and list any known convictions. In my mind this basically means that even if they have not updated the PNC with your record, they will research the details provided and then update the record on PNC accordingly. This doesnt seem very fair for someone with an old record that is best forgotten about. It seems that two cases of a similar nature were deemed unlawful by the high court recently. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-35383037
Can anyone give me advice? ACRO website indicates that the certificate should not be used for employment purposes but in the case of a work visa, it is directly related. I cant see my work visa being approved if the Certificate doesnt state No Trace. I am sure No LIVING Trace will be an automatic rejection. Maybe I have a good case to take to the high court to include a loss in potential earnings? I see that I have a life sentence now after 30 years.