Judges are to be handed extra powers to order them to come to court with authorities able to use “reasonable force” to make those convicted appear in the dock.
Rishi Sunak said the new law would be introduced in Parliament this Autumn. It comes after a spate of cowardly murderers sparked outrage for refusing to appear, including baby killer Lucy Letby and drug dealer Thomas Cashman who gunned down nine-year-old Olivia Pratt-Korbel.
The Prime Minister, who met Olivia’s mother in No 10 to pass on the news personally, said offenders will no longer be allowed to take the “coward’s way out”.
He said: “Like many, I was appalled that people who have committed awful crimes somehow are able to take the coward’s way out and not appear in court for their sentencing and to hear the impact that their crimes have had on the victim’s families.
“I don’t think that’s right. There shouldn’t be an easy way out. “That’s why we’re going to change the law so that courts could compel these offenders to be present for their sentencing and to hear the impact that their actions have had, but also, if necessary, to use reasonable force to bring those people to court, and also to add time on to their sentence if they don’t appear.
“I think that’s the right thing to do. People rightly expect criminals to face up to the consequences of their actions.”
The promised reforms will cover those whose crimes carry a maximum sentence of life in prison, including offences such as murder, rape and grievous bodily harm with intent.
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They will give custody officers the power to ensure those awaiting sentencing appear in the dock or via video link.
Those convicted could also face an extra two years in jail if they ignore a judge’s order and continue to refuse to attend court, with such penalties applying in cases where the maximum sentence is life imprisonment.
They will give custody officers the power to ensure those awaiting sentencing appear in the dock or via video link.
Those convicted could also face an extra two years in jail if they ignore a judge’s order and continue to refuse to attend court, with such penalties applying in cases where the maximum sentence is life imprisonment.
Justice Secretary Alex Chalk said earlier this year that ministers were committed to changing the law to force criminals to be sentenced in person.
Letby, 33, did not appear in court as she was handed a whole-life order for murdering seven babies and harming six others, prompting widespread anger over how callous killers are denying victims’ families the opportunity to tell them how their crimes have affected them.
Olivia was gunned down by Cashman in a horrific shooting in Liverpool last year. The spineless criminal stayed in his cell as he was handed a minimum term of 42 years.
Her mother Cheryl Korbel described his cowardly absence from court as a “kick in the teeth”. She joined the families of murder victims Elle Edwards, Zara Aleena and Sabina Nessa in demanding a law change.
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Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice, Alex Chalk KC, said: “Every time a cowardly criminal hides from justice by refusing to appear in the dock for their sentencing it is another insult to their victims and their families.
“Our reforms will give judges the power to order offenders to come to court to hear the impact of their crimes directly from victims, so that they begin their sentences with society’s condemnation ringing in their ears.”
Zara Aleena’s killer Jordan McSweeney also refused to attend court when he was handed a 38-year minimum term for the 35-year-old aspiring lawyer’s brutal murder.
Her aunt Farah Naz said she and Zara’s gran were “denied the chance to look him in the whites of his eyes and read out victim impact statements”.
Others who have avoided their sentencing recently include Koci Selamaj who murdered primary school teacher Sabina Nessa, 28.
Another is Manchester Arena terrorist Hashem Abedi. He was found guilty of 22 counts of murder and given 55 years in jail but refused to attend court for much of the proceedings.
Ms Korbel said she hoped that Olivia was “proud of what we’ve done”. “Because at the end of the day, it’s in her name, it’s why we’ve done this. And not only in her name, it’s for every other family out there that has gone through it.
“We just hope it gets changed so no-one else has to go through it,” she told ITV. Mr Sunak presented Ms Korbel with a Point of Light Award, given to outstanding volunteers who make a change in their community, during their meeting. The proposed law change was welcomed by the legal profession.
Chair of the Bar, Nick Vineall, said: “We welcome the Ministry of Justice’s decision to leave it to judges to decide how to deal with individual cases in the interests of justice.
“Judges will use their discretion to guard against the danger of allowing a convicted defendant to disrupt sentencing hearings.”
But former prison officer Bryn Hughes – whose daughter Pc Nicola Hughes was killed in 2012 alongside fellow Pc Fiona Bone in a gun and grenade ambush in Greater Manchester – said the idea is “fraught with danger”.
He said that he had seen the behaviour of prisoners forced into courtrooms: “Foul abuse towards the family, abused the court, turned their back, kicked off, fought, spat, bitten people.
“They are beyond being told to sit down and be quiet, aren’t they?” Labour accused ministers of being too slow to introduce reforms to force offenders to attend sentencing hearings.
“It is disrespectful and grossly offensive to victims that brutal murderers, terrorists and rapists can refuse to face the consequences of their crimes in court,” shadow justice secretary Steve Reed said “If the defendant doesn’t come and face justice, it’s beyond cowardly and can have a devastating impact on victims and their families. This can be a vital part of seeing justice done.
“We called for new laws on this back in April last year – but the Conservatives have dragged their feet. “This is the fourth time in over 18 months the Government has promised action – and yet again they have failed to outline a proper timeline on when they will act.
“In government, Labour will give judges the power to force offenders to face justice in court. The families of victims deserve nothing less.”
The general secretary of the Prison Officers Association (POA) said there is no need for reforms. Steve Gillan said: “Both political parties are trying to outdo each other on who can be tough on crime because there’s no need for legislation,
actually, and the reason there’s no need for legislation is because the courts have got the power to tell a governor that he wants a prisoner produced in his court.
“Judges hold that power. Judges are very powerful people. He added: “So the powers are already there, always have been and I’ve been around for 30 odd years but having said that, 99 percent of prisoners do attend without any qualms or anything like that.”
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