Liverpool's 'Face the Family' campaign to be in King's Speech today
The 'Face the Family' campaign was started after the murder of 9-year-old Olivia Pratt-Korbel
Last updated 7th Nov 2023
A campaign, which started in Liverpool, that aims to force offenders to appear in court when they're sentenced will feature in the King's Speech today.
The 'Face the Family' campaign was started after the man who shot 9-year-old Olivia Pratt-Korbel in Liverpool refused to appear in court when he was sentenced.
That meant Olivia's family couldn't read their victim impact statements to him.
Back in August the Prime Minister promised to change the law so offenders have to be present or have more time added to their sentences and today that's being outlined in the King's Speech at the state opening of parliament.
Olivia Pratt-Korbel's mum: "It was like a punch in the stomach"
Olivia's mum Cheryl tells us she doesn't want anyone else to suffer the pain she did:
"It was like a punch in the stomach - Thomas Cashman not turning up on the day of his sentencing to listen to the pain that he caused, the pain that we're still going through.
"This change in the law - it'll stop other families going through that and they'll get full closure"
Face The Family to feature in Criminal Justice Bill
The Prime Minister has put a series of criminal justice laws at the heart of the King’s Speech, which sets out the Government’s programme for the new session of Parliament.
As well as promising tougher sentences for killers, rapists and grooming gang ringleaders, the new Criminal Justice Bill will include measures to ensure reasonable force can be used to make offenders appear in the dock to face their victims for sentencing.
Under the proposals, offenders refusing to be present for their sentences risk having up to two years added to their jail term.