(1) Subject to the provisions of this section, a conviction of an offence for which an order is made under this Sub-Part, placing the offender on probation 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 any subsequent proceedings which may be taken against the offender under the provisions of this Sub-Part.
(2) Where an offender, who is not less than 16 years of age at the time of his or her conviction for an offence for which he or she is placed on probation, is subsequently sentenced under this Sub-Part for that offence, the provisions of subsection (1) shall cease to apply to the conviction.
(3) Without prejudice to subsection (1), the conviction of an offender who is placed on probation 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.
(4) The provisions of subsections (1), (2) and (3) of this section shall not affect—
(a) any right of an offender to appeal against his or her conviction, or to rely on the conviction as a bar to any subsequent proceedings for the same offence;
(b) the revesting or restoration of any property in consequence of the conviction of any such offender.