Martin likes cricket matches

On this day in 1895, Oscar Wilde was convicted of “gross indecency” & sentenced to two years’ hard labour, which was the maximum penalty; he left prison a broken man. What is striking is not only the cruelty of the punishment, but the inequality of justice. Wilde was relentlessly prosecuted, while Lord Alfred Douglas - aristocratic, younger, & equally involved - faced no charges at all. Class, status & prejudice shaped the outcome as much as the law itself. The judge in Wilde’s second trial refused bail, dismissed any prospect of leniency & approached the case with open moral hostility. Quite an extraordinary coincidence, too, that Wilde’s preliminary hearing took place at Bow Street Magistrates’ Court where in 1987, I pleaded guilty to gross indecency. The charges I - & many others over decades - pleaded guilty to are no longer offences. They were based on the then differences in the age of consent - 21 for homosexuals & 16 for heterosexuals. At the time there was no equality between heterosexuals & homosexuals, which was immoral & unjust. For centuries the law enforced homophobia; countless men were humiliated, criminalised & imprisoned simply for who they loved. All a very painful reminder of how easily prejudice can be dressed up as justice.

25 May 1953. Gordon Richards, British champion jockey 26 times, became 1st and so far only flat racing jockey to be knighted. He rode a total of 4,870 winners, a British record that still stands.

Lancashire is my home county; and here is my favourite XI since I started watching in the late 80s ❤️ 🌹 🏏 Only one overseas player allowed 👍 Atherton, Fowler, Crawley, Fairbrother, Law, Flintoff, Wasim, Watkinson, Hegg, Chapple, Anderson

Less than 1% cricket fans can recognise this batter , If you're one of them. Can you guess the batter's name without the help of Google 👇

I am absolutely horrified by the appalling attack on two Jewish Londoners. My thoughts are with the victims, their loved ones and Jewish communities across the UK. We must stand united against racist attacks - and defend a society that embraces the common humanity of us all.

4/28/26 ♥️🙏🇺🇸🦅🚀