Plans to force murderers to face their victims’ families in court brought forward after the killers of nine-year-old Olivia Pratt-Korbel and Zara Aleena chose to cower in their cells could be delayed until after the next election
- Killers of Olivia Pratt-Korbel and Zara Aleena hid in cells rather than face justice
- Families said they were denied justice and urged to fast-track new measures
Plans to force murderers to face their victims’ families in court could be delayed until after the next election.
Ministers committed to making the change after the killers of nine-year-old Olivia Pratt-Korbel and lawyer Zara Aleena chose to cower in their cells rather than face justice.
The families of the two victims say they were denied justice, and have urged the government to fast-track new measures to require murderers to attend their sentencing in court.
But speaking to reporters during a trip to Japan, Rishi Sunak repeatedly refused to commit to making the change before next year’s general election, saying it would require new legislation.
Asked about Olivia’s case, the Prime Minister said: ‘What happened to Olivia in the summer – my daughters are of a similar age and it’s absolutely shocking.
Ministers committed to making the change after the killers of nine-year-old Olivia Pratt-Korbel (left) and lawyer Zara Aleena (right) chose to cower in their cells rather than face justice. The families of the two victims say they were denied justice, and have urged the government to fast-track new measures to require murderers to attend their sentencing in court
But speaking to reporters during a trip to Japan, Rishi Sunak repeatedly refused to commit to making the change before next year’s general election, saying it would require new legislation
‘With regards to that we’ve got a commitment in place. It requires legislation and so we’ll have to wait for the legislative opportunity but the commitment that we made stands.’
He added: ‘We haven’t published our fourth session legislation yet so that will be the time for people to see what the legislative programme is for the fourth session.’
The PM’s comments suggest that the change could be included in the King’s Speech in the autumn. But if it fails to make the cut it is likely to be delayed until after the next election.
Last month, the aunt of Zara Aleena, who was sexually assaulted and brutally murdered while walking home last summer, urged the Government to bring in the change immediately.
Farah Naz said that allowing convicted criminals to avoid facing the court meant the ‘convict actually exercises their bit of power’. She said those who refuse should face longer sentences.
Serial offender Jordan McSweeney, who was convicted of Zara’s murder, refused to attend court for sentencing, where he was given a life sentence with a recommendation her serve at least 38 years.
Gunman Thomas Cashman, who shot Olivia Pratt-Korbel and injured her mother while chasing a drug dealer, in August last year, also refused to attend his sentencing.
He was given a life sentence, with a recommendation he serve at least 42 years.
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