Pardons granted for historical homosexual offences

Full pardons have now been granted to all people convicted of historical homosexual offences on the Isle of Man. 

From today, anyone who has been cautioned or convicted of a historical sexual offence will be automatically pardoned.

The measure also apply to anyone who has died since.

Minister for Justice and Home Affairs, Jane Poole-Wilson thinks the move is 'significant':

In addition to the pardons, people will also now be able to apply to the Department of Home Affairs to have any historical conviction removed from their record.

This formal ‘disregard’ process means that any conviction, caution, warning or reprimand would be considered as having never happened, and would not appear on a criminal record or in any criminal record checks.

This process is expected to take no longer than 12 weeks from application, and guidance has been produced to help applicants through the process. 

Automatic pardons and disregards will not apply to any convictions where the offence would still be considered a crime, such as non-consensual sex and having sex with someone aged under 16.