The criminals who refuse to attend the sentence in England and Wales could face two additional years in prison, under a new bill that will be presented to Parliament on Wednesday.
The additional powers for judges to punish criminals absent from the sentence will mean that they cannot “opt” for justice, the families of the victims said.
“It is not about punishment through force, but ensuring that perpetrators cannot withdraw from the consequences of their actions,” said the families of the murdered teacher of Sabina Nessa Elementary School, Graduate of Law and Mother of Braa.
All the murderers of their loved ones did not attacked their sentence hearings, which caused calls to change the law.
The bill will only become law once it has been approved by parliamentarians and the Chamber of Lores.
The powers already exist to force people to attend the Court, but they are often not used.
The new measures under the bill of victims and courts could be applied to any case in the Crown Court, including those who attend procedures but withdrawn from the Court by disruptive behavior, such as the murderer of Southport Axel Rudakubana.
The criminals who already face orders of a lifetime could be limited to their cells and be stripped of privileges, such as the extra time of the gym, under the new bill.
In a joint statement, the families of the victims said the development, a “step in the right direction, and that the new punishments indicate that” this change is being serious tasks. “
“Give families a moment of recognition and a form of repair. It is a moment of accounts by the convicted,” they added.
In January, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer promised to follow the legislation, initiated by the previous conservative government, after meeting with Cheryl Korbel.
His daughter, Olivia Pratt-Korbel, was shot dead at her home in August 2022, at age nine. Thomas Cashman, the gunman who killed Olivia, did not attend the court to be imprisoned for 42 years.
Anneliese Midgley, deputy of Mrs. Korbel, said: “This law is largely to my constituent Cheryl basket. I am very proud of it.”
“The sentence is not just a legal formality; it is the culmination of justice. That is why it is so important that justice is not only done, but it is seen that it is done.”
The Minister of Justice, Alex Davies-Jones, said: “I would like to thank the notable families of Olivia Pratt-Korbel, Jan Mustafa, Sabina Nessa and Zara Aleena and innumerable others who have campaigned tirelessly for the reality of their saveteste”
“Justice is not optional: we will make sure that criminals face their victims,” he added.
