Police apologise over DNA sample

16 January 2013 Last updated at 08:26 ET

Police have apologised to a gay man who was forced to give a DNA sample for a national database under new powers for investigating historical crimes.

Former soldier Stephen Close, 50, from Salford, said the sample was taken because of a 30-year-old conviction for having consensual sex with another man.

However, the law under which Mr Close was convicted is no longer in force.

Greater Manchester Police said the decision to take the sample had been made without "proper consideration".

The sample had now been destroyed, the force added.

The force said it was also reviewing decisions to demand DNA samples from other people as part of an operation to gain more information about historical offenders.

Mr Close was convicted of gross indecency in 1983 because he had sex with another soldier when both men were under 21, which was the age of consent at the time.

Deputy Chief Constable Ian Hopkins said: "Following a full review of all the circumstances Greater Manchester Police has decided to destroy DNA samples taken from Mr Stephen Close.

I am very conscious of the very personal and sensitive issues raised by Mr Close in relation to his own case

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Police apologise over DNA sample