The value of the unborn

From this week's West Briton:

A YOUNG woman whose unborn child was killed in an horrific car crash has called for a change in the law after the driver responsible – her ex-boyfriend – was fined £200 and given six points on his licence.

Care worker Christopher Sloggett, 21, admitted driving without due care and attention.

He had lost control of his vehicle on the A39 at Playing Place a year ago and hit an oncoming car.

His badly injured ex-girlfriend in the front seat, 20-year-old Kim Quigley, had been eight months pregnant by another man at the time and lost her unborn boy, Thomas.

Serious charges of causing death by driving could not be brought against Sloggett because the law regards a person as alive only once they have taken their first independent breath outside the womb.

After the court case at Truro Magistrates last week, former nursery nurse Miss Quigley, now 21, called for a change in the law.

The police officer in charge of the case, Motor PC Claire Hawkins, said: “While we have to accept the sentence was proportionate to the charge brought against Mr Sloggett, nothing can reflect the terrible loss that Miss Quigley has suffered.

“Unfortunately, legislation does not account for the death of an unborn child and it was therefore not possible to bring a more serious charge before the court.”

Unfortunately for this lady she doesn't stand much of a chance. The lobby fighting for the 'rights of women' would prevent her very logical wish - they cannot afford to allow the unborn to be termed as 'alive', the psychological effect of this would reinforce the very gradual rise in support for unborn children. And if they are alive and human, then what? Where would it all end? We would have to take responsibility for our actions. Deary me.