New Laws Grant Judges Power to Compel Offenders to Attend Sentencing Hearings, Face Extended Incarceration
In an effort to prevent high-profile criminals from evading justice, the Ministry of Justice in England and Wales has proposed new legislation that empowers judges to order offenders to attend their sentencing hearings. This includes the ability to use force, if necessary, to ensure the presence of individuals like Lucy Letby, a nurse convicted of killing babies, and the murderer of nine-year-old Olivia Pratt-Korbel, who both failed to appear for their sentencing hearings.
To ensure victims and their families witness justice being delivered, custody officers will also be granted the legal authority to use reasonable force to bring criminals to court, either in person or via video link. Under the proposed laws, individuals who resist their sentencing attendance despite a judge’s order will face an additional two years in prison. This penalty will apply in cases where the maximum sentence is life imprisonment, including heinous crimes such as murder, rape, and grievous bodily harm with intent.
Expressing his support, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak stated that it is unacceptable for the most horrendous criminals to shy away from facing their victims in court and emphasized that they should not be allowed to take the coward’s way out. The proposal aims to uphold the integrity of the judicial process by giving judges the power to compel offenders to attend their sentencing hearings. Those who refuse to comply may be forcibly brought to court or have their prison sentences extended.
The Ministry of Justice plans to introduce the necessary legislation in due course. The move follows a campaign led by Farah Naz, the aunt of Zara Aleena, and Cheryl Korbel, the mother of Olivia Pratt-Korbel. They tirelessly advocated for changes to the law after witnessing Jordan McSweeney, Aleena’s murderer, and Thomas Cashman, Olivia’s killer, both refuse to attend their sentencing hearings.
The absence of Lucy Letby, who was recently handed a whole life order for murdering seven babies and attempting to kill six others, stirred significant outrage. One grieving mother described Letby’s failure to appear as one final act of wickedness from a coward.
While judges will have discretion over the utilization of these new powers, the Ministry of Justice has ensured that victims and their families will be at the forefront of considerations. In cases where significant disruption is expected, causing distress to victims and their families, judges may choose not to order offenders to attend their hearings.
Alex Chalk, the Justice Secretary, emphasized that every time a criminal avoids sentencing by refusing to appear in court, it adds insult to the victims and their families. Chalk expressed hope that by implementing these reforms, offenders will face the impact of their crimes directly from the victims, instilling societal condemnation as they begin their prison sentences.
In response to the proposed legislation, Steve Reed, the Shadow Justice Secretary, acknowledged that it is disrespectful and offensive to victims when murderers, terrorists, and rapists refuse to face the consequences of their actions in court. He labeled their behavior as beyond cowardly and highlighted its devastating impact on victims and their families. Reed criticized the government for delaying action on this issue and emphasized that Labour would grant judges the power to compel offenders to face justice in court if they were in power.
As the Ministry of Justice prepares to introduce the forthcoming legislation, its aim is to strike a balance between ensuring the presence of offenders during sentencing hearings and avoiding unnecessary distress to victims and their families. The proposed changes reflect a step toward a more inclusive and victim-centric judicial system, where offenders are held accountable for their actions and victims can witness the administration of justice.
Overall, the new laws empowering judges to force offenders to attend their sentencing hearings, along with the accompanying penalties for non-compliance, seek to restore confidence in the justice system by making it more robust and victim-centered.
