NORTH-EAST MPs are hoping to close a legal loophole which they say gives child abusers a chance to escape justice.
Redcar MP Vera Baird, a Queen's Council lawyer, and Sunderland MP Chris Mullin argue that it should be possible to jointly prosecute couples for hurting a child.
They say that, at present, some couples simply blame each other for abusing a child. As it is not clear which individual is to blame, both escape prosecution.
The MPs have tabled a new clause to the latest Criminal Justice Bill before the House of Commons. If it becomes law it will create a new offence that would permit prosecution in cases of "joint enterprise" where it is clear that one or more of a small group of people were responsible for the crime but it is not possible to determine which.
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