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The government is proposing tougher sentencing laws for individuals who kill a partner or former partner at home using a knife or another weapon. Under these new plans, offenders could face an additional 10 years in prison. Currently, when a weapon is deliberately brought to the scene with the intent to kill, the minimum sentence typically starts at 25 years. However, in many domestic murders occurring at home, the weapon—such as a kitchen knife—is already present, and the minimum sentence begins at 15 years. The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) aims to eliminate this 10-year discrepancy so that domestic killings carry harsher sentences.
Domestic murders make up more than one-fifth of all murder cases, with women primarily being the victims. There is an existing higher minimum sentence of 30 years for murders committed with firearms. Upon conviction for murder, a mandatory life sentence is imposed, but judges determine the minimum term to be served. Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy highlighted the historical inadequacies of the law, stating, “For centuries, the law failed to protect women from violence at the hands of their partner—whether from marital rape or from abuse behind closed doors. Whilst we’ve made significant progress, we need to continue righting these wrongs. This change closes a long overdue gap and will ensure those who murder their partner face sentences that better reflect the devastating harm they cause.”
The MoJ has confirmed that this change will be subject to consultation with the Sentencing Council and aims to introduce the new sentencing guidelines “as soon as possible.” The announcement has been met with approval from Carole Gould, Julie Devey, and Elaine Newborough, members of the charity Killed Women, who have campaigned for years to increase the minimum sentence for domestic murder. They shared a joint statement expressing their relief that women’s lives “are being valued as highly as men’s,” emphasizing their lengthy advocacy efforts and the tragic loss of their daughters—Poppy, Ellie, and Megan—at the hands of former partners. They credited Deputy Prime Minister Lammy as the first minister to take decisive action on this issue, saying the existing sentencing guidelines were fundamentally flawed.
Importantly, the MoJ noted that the existing 15-year baseline sentence would remain in place for victims of domestic abuse who kill their abuser, underscoring this as a necessary protection for vulnerable individuals. Ellie Butt, head of Policy and Public Affairs at the domestic abuse charity Refuge, described the reform as “hugely welcome” and acknowledged it as an important advancement toward justice for victims of domestic homicide. While longer sentences cannot repair the trauma suffered, Butt said they send a strong message that violence against women and girls will not be tolerated. She also welcomed the assurance that women who kill an abuser will not be subjected to the tougher sentencing rules. The government has pledged to reduce violence against women and girls by 50% within ten years, with Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood calling the issue a “national emergency” late last year. Additionally, the Law Commission is reviewing the sentencing framework for murder, with a consultation paper expected in summer 2027
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