A prominent sexual health expert has backed Government proposals to decriminalise sex between teenagers aged 12 years and over. 

Although it would still be an offence to have sex with someone under 16, there would be a defence if the person charged was no more than than two years older, and there was consent. 

Dr Margaret Sparrow, a sexual health physician and president of the abortion law reform association, says the reality is that teenagers do experiment, and they shouldn't be made criminals for doing so. 

She says teenage sex increases the risks of disease, but the answer to that is more education, not criminalising it.