States votes for consent age drop

Jersey's politicians have voted in principle for a new sexual offences law which would legalise gay sex at the age of 16.

They voted by 38 votes to 11 for the law, which also includes a new offence of grooming a child and abusing a position of trust.

Members will now debate an amendment to toughen up the abuse of trust law.

The law would also make it harder for an older person to say they thought a child was over 18.

In presenting his amendment, Deputy James Reed argued that child protection charities in the UK supported strengthening the legislation.