Actor Chris Langham is charged with 2 counts of "buggery". But "buggery" was repealed in 1967. Is it illegal?
I'm not asking what you think about this case - I just find it highly unusual someone can be charged with "buggery" in 2007 when The United Kingdom repealed its buggery laws in 1967, ten years after the Wolfenden report (according to wikipedia).
Just seems unfair to get charged with something that is no longer a crime. Whats next witchcraft? :-)
Answers:
As I understand it the charges against Langham related to his sexual activity with a girl who was, during the relevant period, under age. This is not a matter of sexual activity between consenting adults. Whether buggery is legal between consenting adults isn't relevant.
Also, I believe the Sexual Offences Act of 1967 was a very limited reform that exempted from prosecution gay sex that took place in private between two consenting males over the age of 21. More recent reforms (I believe in the 1980s) addressed offenses, such as buggery, more generally. Nonetheless, what's legally permissible for consenting adults isn't the question when what you have is one consenting adult, and one minor.
BURN THE WITCH!
Anyway... you can not charge someone with something that is not a crime. You say the UK repealed the law, but are there similar laws at the local level? Could that be what he is charged with?
You try buggering a 14 year old... or somebody without their permission, or the Chief Constable's wife in public... and you'll very quickly learn how legal buggery is... or just ordinary sex for that matter.
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