Age of sexual consent.

[geoffrey]

When two young lads arrived at college they became immediate friends. When they went on a college trip they shared a room and some non-penetrative sexual activity took place. It was consenting and begun by the younger lad. The younger lad was then aged 17 and ten months and the older lad 18. and one month. The law at that time stated that the legal age for gay sex was 18. It happened on one other occasion and then stopped and both lads are happily married with children. Now the younger man has become very protective of his sons and has written to the older man expressing concern that he is working as a school teacher and hinting that he is considering reporting him for having that under-age sexual relationship some years ago. Which law would apply; the minimum age of consent (18) that applied at that time or the present law where it is 16?
Would the very close proximity of their ages at the time, even though one was technically an adult and the other technically a juvenile, make any difference?. This has come to our voluntary youth enquiry line.

[des8]

Re: Age of sexual consent.

Having dealt with a similar situation some years ago, the advice given by doctors and social workers was that this would be considered as inappropriate behaviour and no more action was taken.
I would suggest the younger person is possibly on a guilt trip, and trying to unload on the other.
Perhaps he should seek counselling.

Criminal offences are dealt with under the law that existed at the time, but I really can't see this ever making the courts, nor should it impinge on his current position.