The BBC drama 'Responsible Child' brings to light the fact that in England and Wales, children as young as 10 can be tried for murder as adults. Written by Sean Buckley and directed by Nick Holt, the programme draws from real cases, most notably the 2014 case of Jerome Ellis, aged 14, and his brother Joshua, who stabbed their abusive stepfather to death.
The story follows 12-year-old Ray, played by Billy Barratt, and his 23-year-old brother Nathan (James Tarpey) as they live under the tyranny of their mother's boyfriend, Scott (Shaun Dingwall). After years of abuse, the situation escalates, leading to Ray being charged with murder and facing trial in an adult court.
The drama highlights a legal anomaly: since 1995, 7,057 children have been tried as adults. Critics argue this conflicts with the UK's obligations under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, which recommends a higher age of criminal responsibility. The case of Ray, who is years away from being legally allowed to buy a hamster, underscores the absurdity of the system.
The cast includes Michelle Fairley as barrister Kerry and Stephen Campbell Moore as child psychologist Dr Keaton, while Debbie Honeywood delivers a harrowing performance as the boys' mother, numbed by years of suffering.
While the drama has been praised for its performances and emotional impact, it also serves as agitprop, aiming to prompt debate on whether children should be judged by the same standards as adults in criminal trials.
