questions about a criminal record for common assault. need advice.

[dave_uk]

Hi, i have a few questions, im really stuck with a few issues and i dont really know where i stand with a lot of things now after getting a criminal record for common assault (section 39) about 3-4 years ago.

i got into a silly fight when i was drunk and ended up with a record.

this come about because when i was in the police station, i was told by the policeman who was dealing with me to just plead guilty there and then as i would just get a causion (how i wish i would have listened), i pleaded not guilty on the basis of my solicitor telling me not to which it then went to the cps who said it would have to go to court, i then found myself not able to afford a solicitor and i just then pleaded guilty in court because i was told i would get a harsher sentence if found guilty if i had pleaded not guilty before hand.

for this i got 180 hrs community service.

anyway...

i am 32 and work in the nhs (been there a good few years), my job is non patient caring and do not have any direct access to patients (background type of role), they are not aware of my record as it obviously happened after i started, one thing that really worries me though is i really feel stuck and like i cannoy move on or move to another job now, obviously because of having to do a crb check. i so wanted to develop myself and progress in the nhs but i feel if i go for another job, i wont just be going for an interview, i will also be going tell them about it and then them sack me for it, so would then loose both jobs. which makes me feel i just cannot further myself.

i guess the same applies out of the nhs, does anyone know if i applied for a job out of the nhs and they asked about my record and previous employer, would they likely contact them to tell them about my record incase they didnt already know?

all that is the first of my dilema's if anyone could give any advice on it from a work point of view.

my other issues are things like, i have never really known how it exactly effects me other than the above.

i know i will have issues flying abroad, does anyone have any advice regarding this?

i have a new girlfriend who i am yet to tell about my issue but is wanting to go abroad and i am petrified not only about telling her about my issue but having to find out if i can / cant go to certain countries, would i get turned away or arrested if i went somewhere and they pulled it up on their computer?

i had read somewhere that i can travel anywhere in the EU regardless of having a criminal record or not, without having to do anything, can anyone tell me if this is right?
and how do i go about it for non eu countries, would i not be allowed into usa for example or would i have to fill a form in explaining it all or go for an interview?
would it be likely that in the airport i would be questioned about any of it, i would be to ashamed with my girlfriend if i got asked about it with her or got took into an office etc..

can anyone also tell me if a record also effects me buying / renting a house or anything else similiar?

as you can see im not really up on where i stand and im very confused about it all. i have about 1 more year left with my record still showing as being un-spent, i know that even after 5 years it still shows on a crb etc.. but after 5 years is travelling then easier, will it still show up for travel, or would i be fine going anywhere abroad after 5 years?

i hope anyone can advise me on my issues as they are starting to effect me a lot and feel very blocked in and not able to just be happy and move on with my life.

if anyones got anything that can help / advise me, that would be great.

thanks

dave