Under-12s to avoid court from today

CHILDREN under the age of 12 will from today no longer be brought before the courts for breaking the law unless they commit the gravest offences.

The change effectively raises the age of criminal responsibility from seven to 12 and sweeps away the practice of prosecuting minors.

The only exception will be 10 and 11-year-olds accused of murder, manslaughter, rape or serious sexual assault. Under the Criminal Justice Act of 2006, court proceedings against 12 and 13-year-olds are also barred unless the Director of Public Prosecutions agrees.