Pregnant drinker not able to be charged

A woman who was found indulging in a marathon drinking session just days before she was due to give birth cannot be charged under present laws, police say.

Tauranga police were called to a Papamoa home around 4am on July 3 after the woman's partner assaulted her, hitting her over the head with a bottle. They found the couple had been drinking for about eight hours.

The woman was expected to give birth this week.

Family Violence co-ordinator Detective Sergeant Jason Perry told Radio New Zealand there were very few laws which offered protection for unborn children.

Otago University Dean of Law Mark Henaghan said crimes of harming or endangering a child could not be applied until after they were born. He said anyone attempting to introduce new laws would encounter a range of potential issues.

Tauranga police will meet Child Youth and Family to discuss whether any intervention would be required once the child was born.

The woman's partner appeared in court charged with assault. He pleaded guilty and was bailed to reappear for sentencing on August 1.

- NZPA