Home Secretary Jack Straw is considering introducing a new law to prosecute child killers following an Argus campaign.

The new offence of killing a child by neglect would carry a maximum sentence of 14 years.

The news comes in the wake of a public outcry in Sussex over the acquittal of a Brighton couple accused of murdering three babies. Medical experts last year testified at Lewes Crown Court that the babies, five weeks, six weeks and 17 months, were probably smothered.

The 27-year-old mother blamed her husband, saying he had used a pillow to kill them because they were crying and "deserved" it.

But the judge ruled there was not enough evidence to say which of the parents, if either, was responsible.

The Argus campaign for a change in the law was backed by Sussex Police, the Sussex Police Authority, Brighton and Hove Council and MPs.

Some argued the burden of proof in such cases should switch to the defence while others, including Chief Constable Paul Whitehouse, felt there should be an alternative charge to run alongside murder.

He said: "It would seem quite wrong that if two people were present at the scene of a crime that both should escape conviction."

Mr Straw, in a letter to campaigning Kemp Town MP Des Turner and the Argus, rejected the first argument, saying it flew in the face of English and European law which guarantee the presumption of innocence.

But he said: "We are considering in the light of the issues raised in this case whether we should create a new offence of killing a child by neglect - that is, where death is the direct result of neglect - with a maximum sentence of 14 years."

Brighton mother Sandra Reed, who presented Mr Straw with a 1,000-name petition, said: "I am pleased all my hard work and all the support from members of the public has not been in vain.

"This may not satisfy everyone but it is a step in the right direction.

"I just think it is a pity this couple can't be tried again."