FIVE men convicted of gross indecency after filming a gay sex video in Bolton will attempt to clear their names next month.

The men, who formed part of the film-making group which became known as the "Bolton Seven", take their cases to the Court of Appeal in London.

They are bidding to quash sentences including suspended jail terms, community service and probation orders.

Discriminated

Two barristers representing the men - Terry Connell, 55, Gary Abdie, Mark Love Jonathan Moore, all in their early 20s, and a 19-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons - will argue their sentences were unfair and discriminated against homosexuals.

All five were found guilty of gross indecency at Bolton Crown Court after taking part in the private porn video - entitled Personal Blue - which contained graphic all-male sex scenes and was filmed at a house in Deane.

The high-profile case, based on rarely-used law which forbids more than two men having sex in private, attracted a storm of protest from gay campaigners throughout Britain who argued the prosecutions would never have been brought against heterosexuals.

But today group member Terry Connell, who received a suspended jail term, predicted the appeal in London would fail and said taking the case to Europe was the only way the sentences would be revoked.

Speaking from his home in Heaton, he said: "This is something we must do for all gay men.

"The law must be changed but I don't hold out much hope that the legal system in England will help us."

Two of the video participants, David Godfrey and Norman Williams, have decided not to join the five's appeal, which takes place on Friday, January 22, and will be funded by legal aid.

The remaining five men must exhaust all forms of legal redress in Britain before challenging convictions and sentences in Europe.

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