The Shadow Minister for Women?s Affairs has derided a lawyer?s suggestion that the age of consent for sex in Bermuda be lowered.

Suzann Roberts-Holshouser told she was ?mortified? by Larry Scott?s comments, made after he defended a 27-year-old man in Supreme Court on Wednesday who admitted having unlawful carnal knowledge of a 14-year-old girl.

Mr. Scott was rebuked by Puisne Judge Charles-Etta Simmons after he said the child ? who became pregnant and had to have an abortion ? may have enjoyed ?one of the most pleasurable experiences of her life?.

He also said the age at which sex with a girl was legal should be dropped from 16 to under 14.

Mrs. Roberts-Holshouser said last night: ?I was mortified by the irresponsible suggestion made by lawyer Larry Scott.

?A sexual act with a minor is more hideous a crime than most of us want to elaborate or think on.?

She said such a change in the law would lead to more unwanted pregnancies and single mother families on the Island.

?The responsibility in 2006 to raise a family in Bermuda even within a two-parent household is difficult enough,? she said. ?The young men of our society do not need the responsibility of raising an infant, nor can they handle the responsibility of raising a child when their endeavours should be focused on the opportunities life has ahead for them.

?More and more, we see the courts inundated with delinquent fathers and indeed our prisons are now congested with fathers, who for various reasons, either choose not to or cannot afford to support their children. ?

She added: ?Our children have a right to be just that ? children. What parent would deny their child this opportunity? Children raising children is a very dangerous scenario.?

The MPpraised Mrs. Justice Simmons for her response to Mr. Scott?s defence of Andwele White, whom she jailed for three years.

?Puisne Judge Simmons showed great courage and conviction on behalf of women and children in Bermuda to put matters in their proper prospective.?