Regulation 13 Amendments to offence of child destruction

Section 25 of the Criminal Justice Act (Northern Ireland) 1945^f1 (offence of child destruction) is amended as follows.

In subsection (1) for “sub-section” substitute “section”.

After subsection (1) insert—

“(1A)

Subsection (1) does not apply to—

(a)

the pregnant woman herself; or

(b)

a registered medical professional (within the meaning of the Abortion (Northern Ireland) (No. 2) Regulations 2020) who terminates a pregnancy in accordance with regulations 3 to 8 of those Regulations.”.

At the end insert—

“(3)

Proceedings in respect of an offence under subsection (1) may be brought only by, or with the consent of, the Director of Public Prosecutions for Northern Ireland.”.