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Drinking while pregnant 'could become a crime'

Drinking during pregnancy could become a criminal offence, women's charities have said.

A council in the North West of England is seeking criminal injuries compensation for a six-year-old girl with ''growth retardation'' caused by her mother's alcohol consumption during pregnancy.

If the Court of Appeal agrees that the woman committed a crime it could pave the way for pregnant women's behaviour to be criminalised, according to the British Pregnancy Advisory Service (bpas) and Birthrights.

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Drinking while pregnant 'criminalisation' fears

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The Court of Appeal is to decide in a test case whether a pregnant woman committed "a crime of violence" against her child when she drank alcohol to excess while pregnant.

Lawyers for child "CP", who cannot be named for legal reasons, are asking three judges to rule the seven-year-old is entitled to compensation as a victim of violent crime after being born with an alcohol-related disorder.

If the appeal succeeds, it could pave the way for pregnant women's behaviour to be criminalised, according to the British Pregnancy Advisory Service (bpas) and Birthrights.

However, a lawyer representing the unnamed council told ITV's Good Morning Britain programme that the case is about the "rights of the unborn child."

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Drinking while pregnant 'could become a crime'

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