Concealment of Birth (Scotland) Act 1809
1809 c.14
An Act for repealing an Act of the Parliament of Scotland relative to Child Murder, and for making other Provisions in lieu thereof.
C1Whereas by an Act of the Parliament of Scotland passed in theM1 second session of the first Parliament of King William and Queen Mary, intituled “Act anent murthering of children,” it is enacted that if any woman shall conceal her being with child during the whole space and shall not call for and make use of help and assistance in the birth, the child being found dead or amissing, the mother shall be holden and reputed the murtherer of her own child: and whereas the punishment of death has been found too rigorous for such an offence, but nevertheless it is expedient that it should be repressed and punished suitable to its quality and degree:
Sess. 2. Parl. I. Will. & Mary.
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2 Concealing pregnancy, &c. how to be punished.
And if, from and after the passing of this Act, any woman in Scotland shall conceal her being with child during the whole period of her pregnancy, and shall not call for and make use of help or assistance in the birth, and if the child be found dead or be amissing, the mother, being lawfully convicted thereof, shall be imprisoned for a period not exceeding two years in such common gaol or prison as the court before which she is tried shall direct and appoint.
Short title given by Short Titles Act 1896 (c. 14)