CRIMINALS who refuse to face victims’ families for sentencing will be hit with extra jail time.
Cowards could get two more years under the Victims and Courts Bill which is introduced today.
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Those facing whole life orders, who would not be deterred by extra time, face being confined to cells and losing privileges such as gym access.
The bill is set to cover all crimes, not just the worst and minister Alex Davies-Jones vowed: “Justice isn’t optional.”
Several families have campaigned for action against the courtroom sentencing dodgers.
They include Cheryl Korbel whose daughter Olivia, nine, was shot dead by Liverpool drug dealer Thomas Cashman as he chased a rival into her home.
Cheryl wanted Cashman to hear her statement to “understand the pain he’s caused”.
PM Sir Keir Starmer promised her he would change the law.
Baby killer nurse Lucy Letby, and Jordan McSweeney, who killed Zara Aleena in Ilford, East London, also failed to face their victims’ families in court.
Crossbow killer Kyle Clifford who murdered three of the Hunt family in Bushey, Herts, refused to attend sentencing where he got a whole life order in March.
Southport child murderer Axel Rudakubana also avoided facing families as he was removed from his hearing for shouting.
London’s Independent Victims’ Commissioner Claire Waxman, said: “I am pleased this Government has listened and included other measures, such as prison sanctions, which I hope will put an end to this cruel injustice.”
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