However, the minister said it does sound like "more law is probably required". "If you don't do that, you can have someone's custody extended by two years." "That is really important because it means that they can hear for example the victims' impact statements, which is their moment to talk to the perpetrator about what they have done to them and their families. She said: "At the moment there is a law in place that can get perpetrators to make sure they go to court. The neonatal nurse is expected to avoid attending court - prompting calls for new legislation to force criminals to face justice in person.Īsked about this situation, Ms Coutinho said that although there is a law in place that can get perpetrators into the courtroom, a new rule is likely required. She said the government has "failed to act" - which will likely lead to Letby not attending court today.Ĭhildren's minister Claire Coutinho has told Sky News that it seems changes are needed to ensure criminals are compelled to listen to victim statements in court.įormer nurse Lucy Letby will today be sentenced for the murder of seven babies and the attempted murder of six others.
and one of the suggestions we've heard is to have the sentencing live streamed into someone's cell." The MP said: "You could look at things like prison privileges for example. She gave examples of "increasing sentences for those that don't attend court for their sentencing", but agreed this won't be effective "in all cases". Ms Reeves said "there are a number of things the government could look at". "That's why Labour have been calling for months for the government to get to grips with this and legislate to compel defendants to attend court and it's wrong that that just hasn't happened yet." "Thomas Cashman who murdered Olivia Pratt-Korbel didn't turn up for his sentencing, Jordan McSweeney who murdered Zara Aleena didn't turn up for his sentencing.
She said: "This isn't the first time a defendant hasn't turned up for sentencing. The shadow justice secretary Ellie Reeves said there are a "number of things" the government could have done to avoid this happening. More now on the case of Lucy Letby, who is refusing to attend court for her sentencing today for the murder of seven babies and the attempted murder of six others.Ī judge can determine that her attendance is necessary, but, as per the Crown Prosecution Service, it is up to the prison to implement this.
0 kommentar(er)
