Have statutory rape laws and prosecutions have gone too far...

Proof that statutory rape laws and prosecutions have gone too far--Paul Briggs apparently "feared he would be reported to police for under-age sex with Kyra Applin," so he hung himself. Their ages? 17 and 15. From the BBC's Teen father-to-be hanged himself:

A teenage boy hanged himself after his 15-year-old girlfriend became pregnant, an inquest has heard.

Paul Briggs, 17, of Ferndale, Rhondda, feared he would be reported to police for under-age sex with Kyra Applin, the hearing in Miskin was told.

The couple told their families they wanted the pregnancy to go ahead but he hid his fears about being prosecuted, the inquest heard.

He died three months before the birth. A narrative verdict was recorded.

Det Sgt John Pope told the coroner's court: "The couple met and she was pregnant just a few weeks later.

"Kyra's parents were not happy about the situation but accepted it. Kyra's father said he had never seen Paul depressed.

"But a friend of the family said the situation was causing him some distress and he was afraid that if they parted he would be reported to the police for under-age sex"...

Kyra then left the inquest in tears midway through the hearing when told of Paul's fears.

She is raising six-week-old baby girl Mia - her name was chosen by Paul - with her parents at their home in Ferndale...

After the inquest Paul's mum Angela said: "The baby is absolutely lovely - she is the spitting image of Paul and I will forever have his memory when I see her."

Read the full article here. The star-crossed Romeo and Juliet are pictured above. It's OK that 35-year-old men have to worry that "15 will get you 20," but teenage boys dating girls a few years younger than them shouldn't have to worry about being prosecuted, as they sometimes are.

Glenn Sacks, GlennSacks.com

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