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Crime Solicitors
Amendment to Policing and Crime Bill will cover now abolished sexual offences involving gay and bisexual men (21 October 2016)
Date: 21/10/2016
The Ministry of Justice has announced that thousands of gay and bisexual men convicted of now abolished sexual offences will be posthumously pardoned.
Justice Minister Sam Gyimah announced that, under Turing’s Law – named after Enigma code breaker Alan Turing – the government would seek to implement the change to the law through an amendment to the Policing and Crime Bill. However, those convicted for consensual same-sex relationships before the change in the law will be formally pardoned.
The government will also introduce a new statutory pardon for the living, in cases where offences have been successfully deleted through the disregard process.
Anyone living who has been convicted of these now abolished offences can already apply through the Home Office to have their names cleared through the disregard process, which removes any mention of an offence from criminal record checks.
An applicant is only eligible for a disregard if the Secretary of State decides that it appears that the other person involved in the conduct which constituted the offence consented to it and was aged 16 or over at the time – the Secretary of State must be satisfied that the conduct is no longer criminal.
Justice Minister Sam Gyimah said:
“It is hugely important that we pardon people convicted of historical sexual offences who would be innocent of any crime today.
“Through pardons and the existing disregard process, we will meet our manifesto commitment to put right these wrongs.”
Alan Turing committed suicide following his conviction for gross indecency in 1952 and was posthumously pardoned by Her Majesty the Queen in 2013.
Duncan Lewis Crime Lawyers
Duncan Lewis crime lawyers can advise at any stage of a charge involving sexual offences, including historical sexual offences and charges relating to rape, sexual assault, conspiracy to commit rape, child sexual exploitation, grooming, prostitution, revenge porn – and making, downloading or distributing indecent images.
There are Duncan Lewis offices across England and Wales – and a Duncan Lewis criminal defence lawyer can usually reach a police station for interview under caution within an hour.
For expert legal advice on sexual offences, call Duncan Lewis crime lawyers on 0333 772 0409.
For 24/7 help at a police station, call the Duncan Lewis Solicitors 24-Hour Emergency Helpline on 020 7275 2036.