Bolton Seven - Revision history

LGBT-HP: Fix bare tag: MW 1.45.1 Cite requires self-closing

2026-07-10T13:06:04Z

Fix bare <references> tag: MW 1.45.1 Cite requires self-closing <references/>

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:06, 10 July 2026
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	==References==		==References==
	<references>		<references/>

	Based on a Wikipedia article.		Based on a Wikipedia article.

Ross Burgess: /* References */

2014-01-11T13:58:10Z

References

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:58, 11 January 2014
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	[[Category:Bolton]]		[[Category:Bolton]]
	[[Category:People convicted of homosexual offences]]		[[Category:People convicted of homosexual offences]]
	[[Category:Articles with no pictures]		[[Category:Articles with no pictures]]

Ross Burgess: /* References */

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References

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:56, 11 January 2014
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	[[Category:Bolton]]		[[Category:Bolton]]
	[[Category:People convicted of homosexual offences]]		[[Category:People convicted of homosexual offences]]
			[[Category:Articles with no pictures]

Ross Burgess at 19:26, 25 June 2013

2013-06-25T19:26:39Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:26, 25 June 2013
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	The offences only came to light after police seized videos of the men having sex, which they had filmed for their own personal use. All the men were either lovers, ex-boyfriends, or friends of friends.		The offences only came to light after police seized videos of the men having sex, which they had filmed for their own personal use. All the men were either lovers, ex-boyfriends, or friends of friends.

			==Sentences==

	During sentencing on 20 February 1998 Gary Abdie, David Godfrey, Mark Love and Jonathan Moore (all of whom were in their early 20s), and Craig Turner (17 at the time of the offences but 18 when he appeared in court) were given probation and community service orders. The Judge gave Norman Williams a two-year suspended prison sentence and Terry Connell received a nine-month suspended sentence and was ordered to pay £500 towards the cost of the prosecution. Moore (20), Williams (33) and Connell (55) were also required to sign the [[Sex Offenders Register]] for the [[age of consent]] offences committed with Turner. Estimates of the overall cost of the prosecution were in the region of £500,000.		During sentencing on 20 February 1998 Gary Abdie, David Godfrey, Mark Love and Jonathan Moore (all of whom were in their early 20s), and Craig Turner (17 at the time of the offences but 18 when he appeared in court) were given probation and community service orders. The Judge gave Norman Williams a two-year suspended prison sentence and Terry Connell received a nine-month suspended sentence and was ordered to pay £500 towards the cost of the prosecution. Moore (20), Williams (33) and Connell (55) were also required to sign the [[Sex Offenders Register]] for the [[age of consent]] offences committed with Turner. Estimates of the overall cost of the prosecution were in the region of £500,000.

	Despite the convictions, none of the men received custodial sentences, possibly as a result of a high profile campaign led by [[OutRage!]]. Over 400 letters were presented to the court in support of the men including those from MPs, bishops and human rights groups. The letters urged the judge not to impose a custodial sentence, with one group, [[Amnesty International]], pledging to declare the men prisoners of conscience should they be imprisoned.		Despite the convictions, none of the men received custodial sentences, possibly as a result of a high profile campaign led by [[OutRage!]]. Over 400 letters were presented to the court in support of the men including those from MPs, bishops and human rights groups. The letters urged the judge not to impose a custodial sentence, with one group, [[Amnesty International]], pledging to declare the men prisoners of conscience should they be imprisoned.

			==Appeal==

	In 2000, six of the men appealed to the [[European Court of Human Rights]] arguing that the prosecutions against them had violated their rights under the [[European Convention on Human Rights]] by interfering with 'the right to respect for a private family life' enshrined in article 8 of the Convention.<ref>http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1335550/Home-Office-to-settle-claim-by-gay-sex-men.html ''Daily Telegraph'' article</ref> They were subsequently awarded compensation, following the precedent set by the [[ADT]] case. As Williams was not part of the litigation, he was not deemed eligible by the Home Office for the compensation.		In 2000, six of the men appealed to the [[European Court of Human Rights]] arguing that the prosecutions against them had violated their rights under the [[European Convention on Human Rights]] by interfering with 'the right to respect for a private family life' enshrined in article 8 of the Convention.<ref>http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1335550/Home-Office-to-settle-claim-by-gay-sex-men.html ''Daily Telegraph'' article</ref> They were subsequently awarded compensation, following the precedent set by the [[ADT]] case. As Williams was not part of the litigation, he was not deemed eligible by the Home Office for the compensation.

Ross Burgess: Adding some links

2012-06-19T05:21:45Z

Adding some links

← Older revision		Revision as of 05:21, 19 June 2012
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	The '''Bolton Seven''' were a group of gay and bisexual men who were convicted on 12 January 1998 before Judge Michael Lever at [[Bolton]] Crown Court of the offences of gross indecency under the [[Sexual Offences Act 1956]] and of age of consent offences under the [[Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994]]. Although gay sex had been partially decriminalised by the [[Sexual Offences Act 1967]], they were all convicted under section 13 of the 1956 Act because more than two men had sex together, which was still illegal. One of the participants (Craig Turner) was also six months under the statutory age of consent for gay sex which was 18 at the time.<Ref>Nick Dearden "The Queen and the `Bolton Seven'" ''Feminist Legal Studies'' 1999 volume 7.3 pages 317–332 ISSN:09663622 "This note examines the case of a group of gay men who, having engaged in consensual sexual acts together, became known as the `Bolton Seven’ following their conviction in 1998 for offences of buggery and/or gross indecency. More particularly the note scrutinises the implications of the ages of the participants (one of whom, at 17 , was unable to give lawful consent to sexual intercourse with a man) in the light of the enactment of Part I of the Sex Offenders Act 1997 which introduces a system of compulsory registration by some convicted and cautioned sex offenders with the police (including men convicted of, or cautioned for, buggery or gross indecency). The note explores the justification for inclusion of these offences within the remit of the 1997 Act together with the cultural construction of gay men as predatory and as constituting a risk to younger members of society. It also analyses some of the effects of the registration requirement in terms of it constituting a potential violation of fundamental rights such as equality and respect for private life. This discussion is located particularly within the context of the jurisprudence of the European Court of Human Rights and the introduction of the Human Rights Act 1998 in the UK."</ref>		The '''Bolton Seven''' were a group of gay and bisexual men who were convicted on 12 January 1998 before Judge Michael Lever at [[Bolton]] Crown Court of the offences of gross indecency under the [[Sexual Offences Act 1956]] and of [[age of consent]] offences under the [[Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994]]. Although gay sex had been partially decriminalised by the [[Sexual Offences Act 1967]], they were all convicted under section 13 of the 1956 Act because more than two men had sex together, which was still illegal. One of the participants (Craig Turner) was also six months under the statutory age of consent for gay sex which was 18 at the time.<Ref>Nick Dearden "The Queen and the `Bolton Seven'" ''Feminist Legal Studies'' 1999 volume 7.3 pages 317–332 ISSN:09663622 "This note examines the case of a group of gay men who, having engaged in consensual sexual acts together, became known as the `Bolton Seven’ following their conviction in 1998 for offences of [[buggery]] and/or [[gross indecency]]. More particularly the note scrutinises the implications of the ages of the participants (one of whom, at 17, was unable to give lawful consent to sexual intercourse with a man) in the light of the enactment of Part I of the [[Sex Offenders Act 1997]] which introduces a system of compulsory registration by some convicted and cautioned sex offenders with the police (including men convicted of, or cautioned for, buggery or gross indecency). The note explores the justification for inclusion of these offences within the remit of the 1997 Act together with the cultural construction of gay men as predatory and as constituting a risk to younger members of society. It also analyses some of the effects of the registration requirement in terms of it constituting a potential violation of fundamental rights such as equality and respect for private life. This discussion is located particularly within the context of the jurisprudence of the [[European Court of Human Rights]] and the introduction of the [[Human Rights Act 1998]] in the UK."</ref>

	The offences only came to light after police seized videos of the men having sex, which they had filmed for their own personal use. All the men were either lovers, ex-boyfriends, or friends of friends.		The offences only came to light after police seized videos of the men having sex, which they had filmed for their own personal use. All the men were either lovers, ex-boyfriends, or friends of friends.

	During sentencing on 20 February 1998 Gary Abdie, David Godfrey, Mark Love and Jonathan Moore (all of whom were in their early 20s), and Craig Turner (17 at the time of the offences but 18 when he appeared in court) were given probation and community service orders. The Judge gave Norman Williams a two-year suspended prison sentence and Terry Connell received a nine-month suspended sentence and was ordered to pay £500 towards the cost of the prosecution. Moore (20), Williams (33) and Connell (55) were also required to sign the Sex Offenders Register for the age of consent offences committed with Turner. Estimates of the overall cost of the prosecution were in the region of £500,000.		During sentencing on 20 February 1998 Gary Abdie, David Godfrey, Mark Love and Jonathan Moore (all of whom were in their early 20s), and Craig Turner (17 at the time of the offences but 18 when he appeared in court) were given probation and community service orders. The Judge gave Norman Williams a two-year suspended prison sentence and Terry Connell received a nine-month suspended sentence and was ordered to pay £500 towards the cost of the prosecution. Moore (20), Williams (33) and Connell (55) were also required to sign the [[Sex Offenders Register]] for the [[age of consent]] offences committed with Turner. Estimates of the overall cost of the prosecution were in the region of £500,000.

	Despite the convictions, none of the men received custodial sentences, possibly as a result of a high profile campaign led by [[OutRage!]]. Over 400 letters were presented to the court in support of the men including those from MPs, ~~Bishops~~ and human rights groups. The letters urged the judge not to impose a custodial sentence, with one group, Amnesty International, pledging to declare the men prisoners of conscience should they be imprisoned.		Despite the convictions, none of the men received custodial sentences, possibly as a result of a high profile campaign led by [[OutRage!]]. Over 400 letters were presented to the court in support of the men including those from MPs, bishops and human rights groups. The letters urged the judge not to impose a custodial sentence, with one group, [[Amnesty International]], pledging to declare the men prisoners of conscience should they be imprisoned.

	In 2000, six of the men appealed to the [[European Court of Human Rights]] arguing that the prosecutions against them had violated their rights under the [[European Convention on Human Rights]] by interfering with 'the right to respect for a private family life' enshrined in article 8 of the Convention.<ref>http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1335550/Home-Office-to-settle-claim-by-gay-sex-men.html ''Daily Telegraph'' article</ref> They were subsequently awarded compensation, following the precedent set by the [[ADT]] case. As Williams was not part of the litigation, he was not deemed eligible by the Home Office for the compensation.		In 2000, six of the men appealed to the [[European Court of Human Rights]] arguing that the prosecutions against them had violated their rights under the [[European Convention on Human Rights]] by interfering with 'the right to respect for a private family life' enshrined in article 8 of the Convention.<ref>http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1335550/Home-Office-to-settle-claim-by-gay-sex-men.html ''Daily Telegraph'' article</ref> They were subsequently awarded compensation, following the precedent set by the [[ADT]] case. As Williams was not part of the litigation, he was not deemed eligible by the Home Office for the compensation.

Ross Burgess at 09:49, 11 May 2012

2012-05-11T09:49:34Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:49, 11 May 2012
Line 7:		Line 7:
	Despite the convictions, none of the men received custodial sentences, possibly as a result of a high profile campaign led by [[OutRage!]]. Over 400 letters were presented to the court in support of the men including those from MPs, Bishops and human rights groups. The letters urged the judge not to impose a custodial sentence, with one group, Amnesty International, pledging to declare the men prisoners of conscience should they be imprisoned.		Despite the convictions, none of the men received custodial sentences, possibly as a result of a high profile campaign led by [[OutRage!]]. Over 400 letters were presented to the court in support of the men including those from MPs, Bishops and human rights groups. The letters urged the judge not to impose a custodial sentence, with one group, Amnesty International, pledging to declare the men prisoners of conscience should they be imprisoned.

	In 2000, six of the men appealed to the [[European Court of Human Rights]] arguing that the prosecutions against them had violated their rights under the [[European Convention on Human Rights]] by interfering with 'the right to respect for a private family life' enshrined in article 8 of the Convention.<ref>http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1335550/Home-Office-to-settle-claim-by-gay-sex-men.html</ref> They were subsequently awarded compensation. As Williams was not part of the litigation, he was not deemed eligible by the Home Office for the compensation.		In 2000, six of the men appealed to the [[European Court of Human Rights]] arguing that the prosecutions against them had violated their rights under the [[European Convention on Human Rights]] by interfering with 'the right to respect for a private family life' enshrined in article 8 of the Convention.<ref>http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1335550/Home-Office-to-settle-claim-by-gay-sex-men.html ''Daily Telegraph'' article</ref> They were subsequently awarded compensation, following the precedent set by the [[ADT]] case. As Williams was not part of the litigation, he was not deemed eligible by the Home Office for the compensation.

	==References==		==References==

Ross Burgess at 09:43, 11 May 2012

2012-05-11T09:43:33Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:43, 11 May 2012
Line 7:		Line 7:
	Despite the convictions, none of the men received custodial sentences, possibly as a result of a high profile campaign led by [[OutRage!]]. Over 400 letters were presented to the court in support of the men including those from MPs, Bishops and human rights groups. The letters urged the judge not to impose a custodial sentence, with one group, Amnesty International, pledging to declare the men prisoners of conscience should they be imprisoned.		Despite the convictions, none of the men received custodial sentences, possibly as a result of a high profile campaign led by [[OutRage!]]. Over 400 letters were presented to the court in support of the men including those from MPs, Bishops and human rights groups. The letters urged the judge not to impose a custodial sentence, with one group, Amnesty International, pledging to declare the men prisoners of conscience should they be imprisoned.

	In 2000, six of the men appealed to the [[European Court of Human Rights]] arguing that the prosecutions against them had violated their rights under the [[European Convention on Human Rights]] by interfering with 'the right to respect for a private family life' enshrined in article 8 of the Convention. <ref>http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1335550/Home-Office-to-settle-claim-by-gay-sex-men.html</ref>They were subsequently awarded compensation. As Williams was not part of the litigation, he was not deemed eligible by the Home Office for the compensation.		In 2000, six of the men appealed to the [[European Court of Human Rights]] arguing that the prosecutions against them had violated their rights under the [[European Convention on Human Rights]] by interfering with 'the right to respect for a private family life' enshrined in article 8 of the Convention.<ref>http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1335550/Home-Office-to-settle-claim-by-gay-sex-men.html</ref> They were subsequently awarded compensation. As Williams was not part of the litigation, he was not deemed eligible by the Home Office for the compensation.

	==References==		==References==

Ross Burgess at 09:42, 11 May 2012

2012-05-11T09:42:50Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:42, 11 May 2012
Line 7:		Line 7:
	Despite the convictions, none of the men received custodial sentences, possibly as a result of a high profile campaign led by [[OutRage!]]. Over 400 letters were presented to the court in support of the men including those from MPs, Bishops and human rights groups. The letters urged the judge not to impose a custodial sentence, with one group, Amnesty International, pledging to declare the men prisoners of conscience should they be imprisoned.		Despite the convictions, none of the men received custodial sentences, possibly as a result of a high profile campaign led by [[OutRage!]]. Over 400 letters were presented to the court in support of the men including those from MPs, Bishops and human rights groups. The letters urged the judge not to impose a custodial sentence, with one group, Amnesty International, pledging to declare the men prisoners of conscience should they be imprisoned.

	In 2000, six of the men appealed to the [[European Court of Human Rights]] arguing that the prosecutions against them had violated their rights under the [[European Convention on Human Rights]] by interfering with 'the right to respect for a private family life' enshrined in article 8 of the Convention. They were subsequently awarded compensation. As Williams was not part of the litigation, he was not deemed eligible by the Home Office for the compensation.		In 2000, six of the men appealed to the [[European Court of Human Rights]] arguing that the prosecutions against them had violated their rights under the [[European Convention on Human Rights]] by interfering with 'the right to respect for a private family life' enshrined in article 8 of the Convention. <ref>http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1335550/Home-Office-to-settle-claim-by-gay-sex-men.html</ref>They were subsequently awarded compensation. As Williams was not part of the litigation, he was not deemed eligible by the Home Office for the compensation.

	==References==		==References==

Ross Burgess at 09:00, 11 May 2012

2012-05-11T09:00:44Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:00, 11 May 2012
Line 1:		Line 1:
	The '''Bolton Seven''' were a group of gay and bisexual men who were convicted on 12 January 1998 before Judge Michael Lever at [[Bolton]] Crown Court of the offences of gross indecency under the [[Sexual Offences Act 1956]] and of age of consent offences under the [[Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994]]. Although gay sex had been partially decriminalised by the [[Sexual Offences Act 1967]], they were all convicted under section 13 of the 1956 Act because more than two men had sex together, which was still illegal. One of the participants (Craig Turner) was also six months under the statutory age of consent for gay sex which was 18 at the time.		The '''Bolton Seven''' were a group of gay and bisexual men who were convicted on 12 January 1998 before Judge Michael Lever at [[Bolton]] Crown Court of the offences of gross indecency under the [[Sexual Offences Act 1956]] and of age of consent offences under the [[Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994]]. Although gay sex had been partially decriminalised by the [[Sexual Offences Act 1967]], they were all convicted under section 13 of the 1956 Act because more than two men had sex together, which was still illegal. One of the participants (Craig Turner) was also six months under the statutory age of consent for gay sex which was 18 at the time.<Ref>Nick Dearden "The Queen and the `Bolton Seven'" ''Feminist Legal Studies'' 1999 volume 7.3 pages 317–332 ISSN:09663622 "This note examines the case of a group of gay men who, having engaged in consensual sexual acts together, became known as the `Bolton Seven’ following their conviction in 1998 for offences of buggery and/or gross indecency. More particularly the note scrutinises the implications of the ages of the participants (one of whom, at 17 , was unable to give lawful consent to sexual intercourse with a man) in the light of the enactment of Part I of the Sex Offenders Act 1997 which introduces a system of compulsory registration by some convicted and cautioned sex offenders with the police (including men convicted of, or cautioned for, buggery or gross indecency). The note explores the justification for inclusion of these offences within the remit of the 1997 Act together with the cultural construction of gay men as predatory and as constituting a risk to younger members of society. It also analyses some of the effects of the registration requirement in terms of it constituting a potential violation of fundamental rights such as equality and respect for private life. This discussion is located particularly within the context of the jurisprudence of the European Court of Human Rights and the introduction of the Human Rights Act 1998 in the UK."</ref>

	The offences only came to light after police seized videos of the men having sex, which they had filmed for their own personal use. All the men were either lovers, ex-boyfriends, or friends of friends.		The offences only came to light after police seized videos of the men having sex, which they had filmed for their own personal use. All the men were either lovers, ex-boyfriends, or friends of friends.
Line 9:		Line 9:
	In 2000, six of the men appealed to the [[European Court of Human Rights]] arguing that the prosecutions against them had violated their rights under the [[European Convention on Human Rights]] by interfering with 'the right to respect for a private family life' enshrined in article 8 of the Convention. They were subsequently awarded compensation. As Williams was not part of the litigation, he was not deemed eligible by the Home Office for the compensation.		In 2000, six of the men appealed to the [[European Court of Human Rights]] arguing that the prosecutions against them had violated their rights under the [[European Convention on Human Rights]] by interfering with 'the right to respect for a private family life' enshrined in article 8 of the Convention. They were subsequently awarded compensation. As Williams was not part of the litigation, he was not deemed eligible by the Home Office for the compensation.

	Based on a Wikipedia ~~araticle~~.		==References==
			<references>

			Based on a Wikipedia article.

			[[Category:Bolton]]
			[[Category:People convicted of homosexual offences]]

Ross Burgess: Created page with "The '''Bolton Seven''' were a group of gay and bisexual men who were convicted on 12 January 1998 before Judge Michael Lever at Bolton Crown Court of the offences of gross in..."

2012-02-12T15:48:11Z

Created page with "The '''Bolton Seven''' were a group of gay and bisexual men who were convicted on 12 January 1998 before Judge Michael Lever at Bolton Crown Court of the offences of gross in..."

New page

The '''Bolton Seven''' were a group of gay and bisexual men who were convicted on 12 January 1998 before Judge Michael Lever at [[Bolton]] Crown Court of the offences of gross indecency under the [[Sexual Offences Act 1956]] and of age of consent offences under the [[Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994]]. Although gay sex had been partially decriminalised by the [[Sexual Offences Act 1967]], they were all convicted under section 13 of the 1956 Act because more than two men had sex together, which was still illegal. One of the participants (Craig Turner) was also six months under the statutory age of consent for gay sex which was 18 at the time.

The offences only came to light after police seized videos of the men having sex, which they had filmed for their own personal use. All the men were either lovers, ex-boyfriends, or friends of friends.

During sentencing on 20 February 1998 Gary Abdie, David Godfrey, Mark Love and Jonathan Moore (all of whom were in their early 20s), and Craig Turner (17 at the time of the offences but 18 when he appeared in court) were given probation and community service orders. The Judge gave Norman Williams a two-year suspended prison sentence and Terry Connell received a nine-month suspended sentence and was ordered to pay £500 towards the cost of the prosecution. Moore (20), Williams (33) and Connell (55) were also required to sign the Sex Offenders Register for the age of consent offences committed with Turner. Estimates of the overall cost of the prosecution were in the region of £500,000.

Despite the convictions, none of the men received custodial sentences, possibly as a result of a high profile campaign led by [[OutRage!]]. Over 400 letters were presented to the court in support of the men including those from MPs, Bishops and human rights groups. The letters urged the judge not to impose a custodial sentence, with one group, Amnesty International, pledging to declare the men prisoners of conscience should they be imprisoned.

In 2000, six of the men appealed to the [[European Court of Human Rights]] arguing that the prosecutions against them had violated their rights under the [[European Convention on Human Rights]] by interfering with 'the right to respect for a private family life' enshrined in article 8 of the Convention. They were subsequently awarded compensation. As Williams was not part of the litigation, he was not deemed eligible by the Home Office for the compensation.

Based on a Wikipedia araticle.