A)There is no such thing as UK law; B) English law does not say that - there is no law at all covering what age you can leave children on their own at. It's only an offence to leave them alone if it places them at risk - what the McCann's did was normal practice in that situation, in that country; C) What you are quoting is NSPCC advice for best practice in this country - it's not legally enforceable, especially as there was no intention to cause suffering or injury to health; They were found not guilty of any offence - what you are doing is passing moral judgement on them. Which is fine, but isn't something subject to any legal recourse.
I usually have a look to see how my local team Banbury Utd have managed on a Saturday. They were promoted last season and doing quite well this. Total attendance 425 today and another 2-0 home win. One of the main sponsors is the local car breaker, another a plumbers merchant, and another the local drain cleaning service. There is a constant battle to raise money through special events, raffles etc and the club only just gets by. At one time they had Maurice Cook as player manager, and I was squeezed into the ground with 5,000 others to see the great John Charles. A different world to the Vic.
It certainly was a different world back in the day. As a teenager, my dad played for a now-defunct Edinburgh team called St Bernard's - a couple of seasons before WWII, they played East Fife in front of a crowd of over 35,000. I suspect East Fife would have to play for two full seasons to get anywhere near that total now...
There is something in UK law it is called child neglect. Being a parent of a 3 year old is a 24 hour responsibility. That is not passing moral judgement that is law. Parents these days get fined for a simple matter of taking a child out of school and threatened with legal action. I'm amazed to gain in your own debate that you find the missing and possible death of a child, not legally holding against negligent parents who both earn a substantial income to have kept the toddler safe. They was 3 years into the child's life, if you don't have the commitment to look after a child to ensure it's safety then wear a condom. The toddler fell into the hands of danger and the parents were not within suitable earshot to protect her.
I have no idea what British or Portuguese law say about this - but for me the whole thing is clear. Leaving a child of 3 alone whilst on holiday (or anywhere else) is reckless, irresponsible, liable to be held guilty for any mischance which happens - and if the law does not see it in the same way then, as they say, the law is an ass.
Agree - what people may not realise in the law is child neglect covers 'supervision' or the lack of it when a child has been placed in danger. Danger as I see it of possible death in this case, particularly as the parents had the financial means to protect the child better. Also the law covers this under the term of 'babies and toddlers' - I think we would all agree a 3 year old is a toddler. As for customs, some used to accept the custom of drinking and driving, but it was still illegal!
Again, you are quoting something that doesn't exist - there is no such thing as UK Law. In England & Wales, child neglect is an offence only if any person aged 16 or over who has responsibility for a child under that age wilfully assaults, ill-treats, neglects, abandons or exposes that child (or causes or procures him to be so treated) in a manner likely to cause him unnecessary suffering or injury to health. You are confusing what could be described as a dose of parental neglect with the legal definition of child neglect - the two are simply not the same. David Cameron can attest to that after no action was taken in regards to him leaving his children unattended in a pub. The Portuguese courts found the McCanns not guilty. The police in England conducted an extensive and high profile review of the case - too high profile to allow 'class status' to colour the outcome - and found no reason to charge them with any wrongdoing.
Morning, Dave; morning, all. Three in a row, Dave. Be careful, though. Rising this quickly could lead to decompression sickness.
So I will ask in your view; do you not feel they were neglecting a 3 year old toddler by leaving her on her own in foreign shores, with no listening service, clearly noted with no listening service. The toddler was not within earshot of the parents and not of an age to recognise danger. Because to me you are failing to recognise 'supervision' of babies and toddlers. It's like putting a 3 year old to bed, popping next door to the pub and the house burns down....Neglect is neglect whatever way you try to defend it because as parents you should always expect the unexpected.
The only reason the parents were not arrested for abandoning a child under Portuguese law (according to media) - was due to compassion and that they wrongly believed it was British culture to do so. It was stated if this had been a Portuguese family they would have been arrested.
What I think is irrelevant. What we the public define neglect as is quite clearly not in line with the legal definition. Hence the differing opinions.
Morning all, it started out bright and sunny, but there are dark clouds rolling in and storms are forecast for this afternoon. A Sunday morning trip to the baker is always a worthwhile experience here, as it is the day when many of the French will give themselves a treat. The baker's wife is in charge of the patisseries and there are many things to take your fancy if you do not have any regard for your weight. please log in to view this image Six days a week they start work at the crack of dawn to provide the lovely bread, but Sunday there is a demand for something special. I just look, but do wonder at the amount of money that some spend.
Where on earth do they get the dough? I do love that sliced apple tart thing. Mmmmm. Tarte au pomme (sans de terre) pour moi.
