659. Disregarding of convictions or cautions involving buggery or gross indecency between men.

A conviction of, or a caution for, an offence of buggery or gross indecency between men1 may be treated2 as a disregarded conviction or caution if the conduct constituting the offence was consensual and would now be lawful3. The effects of such a conviction or caution being disregarded are:

  1.  

    (1)     that the person in question4 is to be treated for all purposes in law as if he has not committed5, been charged with6, been convicted of7, or been prosecuted8, sentenced9 or cautioned for10, the offence;

  2.  

    (2)     that the conviction or caution or any connected circumstances is not a proper