The official law reform body has published a report and draft bill calling for changes in the law surrounding child deaths and serious injury resulting from abuse. It recommends that if a person who has “responsibility” for and is “connected” with a child fails to take “reasonable” steps to prevent that child being seriously injured or killed, they could face up to seven years in prison.
But the offence would only apply when the adult had been aware that there was a “real risk” that the child could come to harm. Social workers and teachers would not be subject to the new offence.
Child cruelty resulting in or significantly contributing to a child’s death could also carry a maximum prison sentence of 14 years, as opposed to the current 10-year maximum sentence. Anyone with responsibility for a child at the time of death or injury would also have a statutory duty to help the courts and the police.
Glyn Martin case review concludes
12 May 2005
Shake-up in laws to prevent child killers getting away with murder
13 November 2003
Child killers targeted as legal loophole is closed
10 November 2003
Youth Justice and the Youth Justice Board
26 August 2008
Substance misuse
15 August 2008
Details of government consultations
21 August 2008
Private Member Bills
25 July 2008
Government Legislation
25 July 2008
