A new bill set to be introduced in Parliament on Wednesday threatens criminals in England and Wales who refuse to attend their sentencing with an additional two years in prison. Victims’ families advocate for this change, insisting that offenders should not have the option to avoid facing the consequences of their actions. The loved ones of murdered individuals like primary school teacher Sabina Nessa, law graduate Zara Aleena, and mother-of-three Jan Mustafa press for legal reform after their killers failed to attend sentencing.
Approval from MPs and the House of Lords is necessary for the bill to become law. Current powers exist to compel individuals to attend court, but they are not consistently enforced. The proposed provisions under the Victims and Courts Bill would extend to cases in the Crown Court, including situations where individuals are removed from the court due to disruptive behavior, as in the case of Southport killer Axel Rudakubana. Offenders already facing whole life orders may face stricter confinement measures and loss of privileges under the new legislation.
The families of the victims view this development as a positive step towards justice, recognizing it as an important moment for accountability for those convicted. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer pledged to support the legislation initiated by the previous Conservative government during a meeting with Cheryl Korbel, whose daughter Olivia Pratt-Korbel was fatally shot at the age of nine. Constituents and officials express pride and admiration for individuals like Cheryl Korbel who have advocated for justice and played a role in the push for legal changes to ensure that offenders are held accountable for their actions at sentencing.
Justice Minister Alex Davies-Jones commends the efforts of families like Olivia Pratt-Korbel, Jan Mustafa, Sabina Nessa, and Zara Aleena, as well as numerous others who have tirelessly campaigned for criminal accountability. Emphasizing that justice is not optional, Davies-Jones asserts that steps will be taken to ensure that offenders face the reality of their crimes by attending their sentencing and confront the impact of their actions on victims
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