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Sex with under-16s 'grey area' Sex with under-16s 'grey area'
(about 2 hours later)
A chief constable has said that young men who have sex with girls aged 13 or over should not necessarily be classed as paedophiles.A chief constable has said that young men who have sex with girls aged 13 or over should not necessarily be classed as paedophiles.
In a newspaper interview, Dyfed-Powys chief Terry Grange said he believed the word "paedophile" should only apply to men who have sex with pre-pubescents. In a newspaper interview, Dyfed-Powys chief Terry Grange said he believed the word "paedophile" should only apply to men who have sex with prepubescents.
He also said the term "child pornography" should apply to images of children aged below 13.He also said the term "child pornography" should apply to images of children aged below 13.
Under UK law anyone who has sex with an under-16 has committed an offence.Under UK law anyone who has sex with an under-16 has committed an offence.
If the child is 13 or older and consenting the offence is classed as "unlawful sexual intercourse".If the child is 13 or older and consenting the offence is classed as "unlawful sexual intercourse".
But if they are under 13 the offence is rape.But if they are under 13 the offence is rape.
IssueIssue
Mr Grange, chief constable of Dyfed-Powys police and spokesman for the Association of Chief Police Officers on child protection and managing sex offenders, said his views reflected this "grey area".Mr Grange, chief constable of Dyfed-Powys police and spokesman for the Association of Chief Police Officers on child protection and managing sex offenders, said his views reflected this "grey area".
He told the Sunday Times: "Child porn is 12 and under. For me, that sort of thing, paedophilia, is [with] prepubescent children."He told the Sunday Times: "Child porn is 12 and under. For me, that sort of thing, paedophilia, is [with] prepubescent children."
He said: "It's much more of an issue for me if a child is under 13. I think the closer they get to 16, the more it becomes a grey area and I think everyone in the field of dealing with sexual health and sexual activity acknowledges that." "It's much more of an issue for me if a child is under 13. I think the closer they get to 16, the more it becomes a grey area and I think everyone in the field of dealing with sexual health and sexual activity acknowledges that."
CircumstancesCircumstances
Asked how he would define paedophilia, Mr Grange said: "We are talking about very young people [when] it is paedophilia, and I wouldn't want to mix up kids who are just the wrong side of 16 with paedophiles.Asked how he would define paedophilia, Mr Grange said: "We are talking about very young people [when] it is paedophilia, and I wouldn't want to mix up kids who are just the wrong side of 16 with paedophiles.
"I don't actually personally adhere to the 15-year-old being with a 20-year-old boyfriend being paedophilia, or even if the boyfriend is 30.""I don't actually personally adhere to the 15-year-old being with a 20-year-old boyfriend being paedophilia, or even if the boyfriend is 30."
Official government guidance on prosecuting suggests that teenagers who have sex when one of them is below 16 should not necessary be prosecuted.Official government guidance on prosecuting suggests that teenagers who have sex when one of them is below 16 should not necessary be prosecuted.
Mr Grange, who stressed his views were personal, said: "You take a look at the circumstances and try to make the right decision for that case.Mr Grange, who stressed his views were personal, said: "You take a look at the circumstances and try to make the right decision for that case.
"It may be nothing, it may be formal warnings, it may be prosecution.""It may be nothing, it may be formal warnings, it may be prosecution."