NSPCC calls for video evidence in abuse cases

The NSPCC said yesterday that abused children should be spared the trauma of testifying in open court.

The charity suggested the introduction of pre-trial hearings, where the child's evidence was recorded on video, to be made available at trial.

It also wanted the 'loophole' closed under which parents who killed could go unpunished. This arose from the way courts dealt with joint pleadings when two adults, present during the murder of a child, either accused each other or stayed silent. It could lead to both walking free.