Text Size
Print
Email
National News
- Text Size
- Print
- Email
He Was Gay in The 1950's And Now Can't Get A Job
A 73-year-old man who has a criminal record for being in a gay relationship in the 1950s has applied to have his conviction struck out.
John Crawford, from Marylebone, central London, only found out he had a criminal record when he applied for voluntary work.
Under a new law people can apply for historic convictions for gay sex to be treated as spent.
Mr Crawford hopes others in the same situation will do the same.
He said: "I looked back over my life and realised that all the work I'd lost over the years was due to this criminal record."
The Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 which gained Royal Assent in May, changed the law so historical convictions for decriminalised consensual sex offences will not show up on criminal record checks.
Those affected need to apply to the Home Secretary for a formal disregard of their convictions.
The Home Office said 27 people in England and Wales had applied since 1 October.
Mr Crawford received a year's conditional discharge at Winchester Crown Court in 1959 after he was convicted of a sexual offence.
He said: "It was something that gays had to go through in those days. If you were gay you were in trouble with the police.
"Gay guys don't realise how lucky they are to be able to kiss in the street. In my time in the '50s you'd be arrested instantly."
He added: "I came into this world without a criminal record and I don't want to die with a criminal record."
2025 The Background Investigator. All Rights Reserved.