Mum of murdered Buckinghamshire student says Lucy Letby's refusal to appear in court is "disgusting"
Former nurse Lucy Letby refused to appear in court as she was handed a whole life sentence.
Lisa Squire, mum of Libby Squire who was sexually assaulted and murdered while at the University of Hull in 2019, says it's "disgusting" that Lucy Letby refused to appear in court for her sentencing
Former nurse Lucy Letby was given a whole life sentence for murdering seven babies and trying to kill six more, but refused to come up from her cell for her sentencing.
It's unforgivable that she hasn't been there
Lisa is part of a group - including the mother of Olivia Pratt-Korbel - backing a campaign calling for offenders to be forced to appear in court to face the families.
She said: "I personally think it's disgusting.
She hasn't had to go and face the judge and the families to have hear sentence handed down to her.
It's unforgiveable that she hasn't been there - it's the least she could have done when she's caused so much destruction to those families."
There's nothing that will ever make it okay, but by doing that you have a say.
When Libby Squire's killer, Pawel Relowicz was sentenced to 27 years in jail, he appeared in court, allowing Lisa to read her victim impact statement to him.
She said: "I felt like I had control over what I needed to say and I was able to tell him what I needed to say.
Those families have been denied that opportunity and it's not right at all.
"There's nothing that will ever make it okay, but by doing that you have a say.
Your voice as the family of the victim isn't heard throughout the entire trial"
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said the government is looking into changing the law to force convicted murders to attend their sentencing so they can face the families.
Sir Keir Starmer confirmed Labour would support such a change in the law.