16 January 2013 Last updated at 08:26 ET <\/p>\n
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. <\/p>\n
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. <\/p>\n
However, the law under which Mr Close was convicted is no longer in force. <\/p>\n
Greater Manchester Police said the decision to take the sample had been made without \"proper consideration\". <\/p>\n
The sample had now been destroyed, the force added. <\/p>\n
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. <\/p>\n
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. <\/p>\n
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. <\/p>\n
I am very conscious of the very personal and sensitive issues raised by Mr Close in relation to his own case <\/p>\n
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Read the rest here: 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. Continue reading
\nPolice apologise over DNA sample<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"