Chancellor: Olivia's Law will happen 'within next year or so'
The law, named after Olivia Pratt-Korbel, would ensure offenders appear at sentencing
The Chancellor says a law to ensure offenders appear in court for sentencing will happen 'within the next year or so'.
The law is named after Olivia Pratt-Korbel, who died at the age of nine after being shot in her own home in Old Swan.
The man who was convicted of her murder, Thomas Cashman, refused to come up from his cell and face Olivia's family during his sentencing.
In his absence he was jailed for life and ordered to serve a minimum term of 42 years.
Ever since, Olivia's family have campaigned for a law to ensure offenders appear in court for sentencing.
The previous Conservative government included Olivia's Law in its final King's Speech, but it didn't become legislation before the general election.
It has also been included in the first Labour King's Speech and the government has committed to bringing it in as soon as possible.
Speaking on a visit to Liverpool today, Chancellor Rachel Reeves said:
"We're absolutely determined to deliver on Olivia's Law in honour and in memory of her life that was cut far too short.
"That was in our King's Speech, our first King's Speech within a couple of weeks of this new government taking office and we will deliver that in this parliamentary session.
"We are determined to deliver on the promise that we gave to Olivia's mother"
"Within the next year or so, that will become law and we are determined to deliver on that promise we gave to Olivia's mother.
"It's pathetic that somebody who has caused that devastation for a family cannot even look in the eye and appear in court.
"That will change and that is what this law is about and this is what this legislation in the King's Speech is about - is making sure that people are fully accountable and have to live with the consequences in the same way that the families have to live with the consequences of what their mindless actions have brought about."