Date: Fri, 16 Jan 1998 00:11:09 +0000
From: David <mehdi@globalnet.co.uk>
Subject: Re: OutRage! appeal: HELP SAVE THE 'BOLTON 7'

At 07:49 15/01/98 +0000, you wrote:
>        The gay rights group OutRage! needs you to help us save
>the 'Bolton 7' from being jailed for consenting gay sex.
>
>        Seven men were convicted on 12th January
>for consenting gay sex in the privacy of their own homes
>in Bolton, north-west England.  The offences came to light
>after police seized videos of the men having sex,
>which they had filmed for their own personal use.
>
>        All the men are either lovers, ex-boyfriends,
>or friends of friends.
>
>        "The 'Bolton 7' were convicted because more than two persons
>participated or spectated", said David Allison of OutRage!.
>"Under the 1967 Sexual Offences Act, gay sex is illegal
>'when more than two persons take part or are present'.
>Equivalent heterosexual behaviour is not a crime."
>
>	Three of the seven were also convicted of age-of-consent offences
>with a 17-1/2 year old teenager, (only six months below the gay age
>of consent of 18).  By court order, the youth cannot be named.
>
>        The 'Bolton 7' will be sentenced on 2nd February.
>Lawyers fear the three men convicted of sex with the 17-1/2 year old
>-- Terry Connell, 55, (who was the teenager's lover at the time),
>Norman Williams, 32,
>and Jonathan Moore, 20 --
>could face imprisonment for up to five years.
>All three have had to sign the Sex Offenders' Register:
>including Jonathan, who is less than three years older than
>the youth aged 17-1/2.
>
>        "The Sex Offenders' Register is supposed to be
>for rapists and child abusers", said Peter Tatchell of Outrage!.
>"Two of the men have already had their homes trashed or fire-bombed,
>and one has been assaulted.  All are living in fear of vigilante attacks.
>
>        "The men's conviction for sex with a 17-1/2 year old
>is in defiance of last year's European Commission of Human Rights ruling
>that Britain's unequal age of consent (18 for gay men,
>16 for heterosexual and lesbian sex) is unlawful,
>and takes place just months before Parliament is expected
>to lower the gay age of consent to 16", noted Tatchell.
>
>        "The number one priority is to stop these men being jailed",
>said David Allison.  "We need people to write letters opposing a
>prison sentence, which the Bolton 7's solicitor, Janet Cragg,
>can present to the judge when the case comes up for sentencing
>in early February.  Mobilising public opinion to support clemency
>is the best way we can help these men.  Please write a letter today
>and help us save them from jail."
>
>        ===============================
>
>        OutRage! is urging that letters of support, donations,
>and offers to help organise the Bolton 7 Defence Campaign
>be sent to the men's solicitor:
>
>        Janet Cragg,
>        c/o Robert Lizar,
>        159, Princess Road,
>        Moss Side,
>        Manchester.
>        M14  4RE
>
>        Tel. 0161-226 2319
>        Email:  106475.3436@compuserve.com
>
>
>        ===============================
>
>        http://www.OutRage.cygnet.co.uk
>
>        ===============================
>
>
>
>
o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o- o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o
                                                          
   "It is not those who can inflict the most,            
     but  those that can suffer the most who 
                               will conquer"    
                     |
                Terence MacSwiney                                
|-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-