But some candidates in England were forced to stand down over a minor offence committed during their formative years.

BBC: South East Wales

The Conservative candidate for the job of Nottinghamshire police and crime commissioner is pulling out due to a "minor offence" committed 44 years ago.

BBC: Mike Quigley

Hampshire PC Mark Walsh hopes to set up a scheme so young people can decide punishments for peers committing their first crime - if it is a minor offence.

BBC: A Hampshire PC hopes to set up youth 'peer courts'

The Task Force suggested the application of sanctions in two stages, with the threat of "a warning, a fine or the playing of a match behind closed doors" for "a first or minor offence".

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In Nottinghamshire, Conservative candidate Mike Quigley pulled out over a minor offence committed 44 years ago and in Avon and Somerset, Labour's Bob Ashford said a crime committed when he was 13 had blocked him from the candidacy.

BBC: England

If it is a minor arson, normally that offence would attract a charge.

BBC: A Hampshire PC hopes to set up youth 'peer courts'

Since 2004, the data of everyone arrested for a recordable offence - all but the most minor offences - has remained on the system regardless of their age, the seriousness of their alleged offence, and whether or not they were prosecuted.

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By comparison, Walmart's offence in Chongqing was minor.

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Since 2004, the data of everyone arrested for a recordable offence in England and Wales - all but the most minor offences - has remained on the system regardless of their age, the seriousness of their alleged offence, and whether or not they were prosecuted.

BBC: All DNA is stored permanently on the national database

Whether Hamilton deserved to lose the race as a result of his minor transgression is a wholly different question from whether he committed an offence by a strict interpretation of the rules.

BBC: The right ruling on Hamilton?