PROSECUTION IN CHILD DEATHS

Early day motion 286, tabled 4 December 2002 by Desmond Turner (Labour). Signed by 158 members.

That this House is concerned that over 200 children under the age of two are killed or seriously injured each year by their parents or carers, but that only approximately a quarter of these cases are followed by successful prosecutions and then not for murder or manslaughter, but for lesser offences such as cruelty, which carry only a light sentence; notes that the main reason for this failure is joint enterprise, meaning that it is not possible to prove which member of a couple was responsible, leading to the failure of the attempt to prosecute for more serious charges; and calls on the Government to incorporate in legislation at the earliest opportunity, and preferably in the Criminal Justice Bill currently before the House, measures to facilitate successful prosecution of those responsible for killing small children on charges which reflect the gravity of the act.

Signatures by party: Labour 93, Conservative 38, Labour/Co-operative 12, Liberal Democrat 9, Plaid Cymru 2, UUP 2, DUP 1, Independent Conservative 1.