Child harm 'legal loophole' closed

A legal loophole which has allowed hundreds of child abusers to escape prosecution has been closed, Justice Secretary Kenneth Clarke has said.

From Monday anyone who deliberately causes or allows serious physical harm to a child or vulnerable adult faces up to 10 years in prison.

Taking effect in England and Wales, it also enables prosecutions of people who stay silent or blame someone else.

The justice secretary said the move was a boost to child protection.

Clive Coleman reports