Voyeur News Today

New law makes it an offence to have sex in public place

 

From: Western Mail (Cardiff, Wales)  | Date: January 30, 2003 
 
LOVERS and voyeurs who have sex in an outdoor public place could face a jail term of up to six months, according to legislation published yesterday.

According to the new Sexual Offences Bill, someone who ``knows or is reckless'' about whether they will be seen having sex, is guilty of an offence.

The long-awaited legislation rewrites Victorian laws on so-called ``cottaging'' but gay-sex partners could avoid prosecution if they were in a cubicle with the door closed.

``No-one wants to be an unwitting spectator to other people having sex in a public place,'' said Home Office minister Hilary Benn.

``The circumstances that are carefully drafted here define what the activity is that would not be acceptable. At the same time, it's not intended to catch voyeur activity which takes place in private, which is no business of anybody.

``If the cubicle door was open, then clearly an offence was committed. If it's closed, it's different.''

Home Secretary David Blunkett said it was the most radical overhaul of the ``inadequate, antiquated and discriminatory'' sex laws for more than 50 years.

Voyeurism, bestiality and necrophilia will become specific offences, each with a maximum sentence of two years' imprisonment.

Voyeurs will face prosecution if they spy on - including through a camera or web cam - someone else for their sexual gratification.