Boy, 15, charged with rape after 11-year-old becomes pregnant

A boy aged 15 has been charged with rape after an 11-year-old girl became pregnant, police said. The girl, now aged 12, is due to give birth in a few weeks, which will make her the youngest mother in the United Kingdom. She told a newspaper that she was "really excited" about having a child.

A spokesman for thecouncil in West Lothian, where the girl lives, said: "We are aware of the situation. We are providing support through our social policy and education teams.

"We are working with the family to support the young person to ensure that the child gets the best possible start." The mother-to-be told The Scottish Sun newspaper that she hoped the baby would be a boy.

The girl's 34-year-old mother also said she was proud of her daughter. The youngest British girl to give birth was Jenny Teague, of Dorset, who had a baby at the age of 12 years and nine months in 1997.

The news has led to calls for better sex education for Scottish youngsters.

The Scottish Conservatives called for society and families to unite to change attitudes towards sex.

A spokeswoman for the Scottish Executive made no comment on the case but said: "We have a programme of sex education in schools. It is something that all pupils should be aware of and it stresses the importance of relationships with a family context."

The news sparked outrage from the Catholic Church. A spokesman said: "Apart from anything else, what has happened is illegal as the girl is under age.''

He added: "It is indicative of an increasingly promiscuous culture. As a society, Scotland does not seem to be as concerned as it should be about under-age sexual activity and promiscuous behaviour on the part of older teenagers."

The boy is scheduled to appear on 10 July at Edinburgh sheriff court, having already made a previous appearance.