Criminals Dodging Sentencing May Face Additional Two Years Behind Bars Under New Bill

Criminals who refuse to attend sentencing in England and Wales could face an additional two years in prison, under a new bill to be introduced to Parliament on Wednesday.

Additional powers for judges to punish offenders absent from sentencing will mean offenders cannot "opt out" of justice, victims' families have said.

"It is not about punishment through force - but about ensuring that perpetrators cannot remove themselves from the consequences of their actions," said the families of murdered primary school teacher Sabina Nessa, law graduate Zara Aleena and mother-of-three Jan Mustafa.

All of their loved ones' killers did not attend their sentencing hearings, prompting calls to change the law.

The bill will only become law once it has been approved by MPs and the House of Lords.

Powers already exist to compel people to attend court but they are often not used.

New measures under the Victims and Courts Bill could apply to any case in the Crown Court, including those who attend proceedings but are removed from court for disruptive behaviour - like Southport killer Axel Rudakubana.

Offenders already facing whole life orders could be confined to their cells and be stripped of privileges, like extra gym time, under the new bill.

In a collective announcement, the relatives of the victims stated that this progression represents "a move in the correct direction," and they noted that the introduction of new penalties signifies "that this alteration is being treated with seriousness."

"It offers families a time of acknowledgment and some measure of restitution. This marks a period of accountability for those who have been found guilty," they further stated.

In January, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer committed to proceeding with the legislation that was started by the preceding Conservative administration. after meeting Cheryl Korbel .

Olivia Pratt-Korbel, her nine-year-old daughter, was fatally shot at home in August 2022. The assailant responsible for Olivia’s death, Thomas Cashman, did not appear in court when he received a 42-year prison sentence.

Anneliese Midgley, Ms Korbel's MP, said: "This law is down in no small part to my constituent Cheryl Korbel. I am so proud of her."

"Sentencing is not just a legal formality; it is the culmination of justice. That's why it's so important that justice is not only done, but seen to be done."

Justice Minister Alex Davies-Jones said: "I would like to thank the remarkable families of Olivia Pratt-Korbel, Jan Mustafa, Sabina Nessa and Zara Aleena and countless others who have campaigned tirelessly for offenders to have to face the reality of their crimes by attending their sentencing."

"Justice isn't optional - we'll make sure criminals face their victims," she added.