Advice required - Court Reference

[SBudden]

A friend has asked me to write a personal character reference for him, as he has an impending court trial coming up and it is more than likely he will be held at Her Majesty's Pleasure for a while...

As I have never done this kind of thing before, could someone give me some advice on what I need to write, etc?

Also, does this 'thing' get read out to the bench, or is it a 'private and confidential' sort of thing that is only read by Judge and Jury and not for the general public to view. Also, will my name be read out in court as supplying this character reference?

Any advice appreciated.