A young child is not entitled to criminal injuries compensation after her mother drank excessively while pregnant, the British Court of Appeal has ruled.

The Court of Appeal is being asked 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.

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

Drinking during pregnancy could become a criminal offence in the UK, women’s charities have said.