The police need to speak with Ricky (Picture: BBC)

In recent EastEnders episodes Lily Slater (Lillia Turner) dropped the bombshell that she’s pregnant. As Lily is only 12 years old, this meant that soon the police and social services had to get involved because she’s below the age of consent.

Everyone who lived at number 31 was quizzed about their relationship with Lily, with Martin (James Bye) and Freddie (Bobby Brazier) coming in for some uncomfortable questions.

Lily eventually told Stacey (Lacey Turner) that the baby’s father is Ricky Mitchell (Frankie Day). Ricky is Lily’s own age, but under the Sexual Offences Act 2003 it’s a crime for any sexual act to take place if one or both people are under 16 and the penalties can be even higher if the participants are under 13.

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So when Ricky Jr finds out from Lily that her parents know that he’s the father of the baby, he panics and blurts everything out to his mum, Sam (Kim Medcalf). She goes to talk to the Brannings and is shocked when Jack (Scott Maslen) tells her the legal position – that their son could face criminal charges.

The situation gets very real for Ricky when Jack takes him to the police station, where he has to be interviewed. Will he be charged?

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Under the Sexual Offences Act 2003 it’s a crime for any sexual act to take place if one or both people are under 16.