Summit brings together those backing 'Face the Family' campaign
The campaign's calling for a change in the law, so offenders to have to appear in court when they're sentenced
Last updated 16th Feb 2024
Families, experts and politicians from across the country have come together in Liverpool for a major summit as part of the Face the Family campaign.
They are pushing for a change in the law, so that offenders have to appear in court when they're sentenced.
You can sign the petition here.
'Face the Family' was launched after the man who murdered nine-year-old Olivia Pratt-Korbel in Dovecot, Thomas Cashman, refused to appear for sentencing.
In his absence, he was jailed for life with a minimum term of 42 years.
Cashman's defence barrister, Professor John Cooper KC, told the court that his client was "worried the matter was turning into a circus."
Olivia's mum Cheryl Korbel attended the summit at Radio City Tower, with other speakers including Merseyside's Police and Crime Commissioner Emily Spurrell, former Chief Prosecutor for the North West Nazir Afzal and West Derby MP Ian Byrne.
Cheryl said:
"I didn't realise that it was an option for them not to come up (for sentencing) and (I) was really annoyed.
"The court was full and everyone heard the impact statement apart from him.
"To go to court every day for over three weeks for him then to turn around and say I'm not coming up... it's wrong, totally wrong. They should be made to come up."
Farah Naz, the auntie of murdered aspiring lawyer Zara Aleena, and Lisa Squire, the mother of murdered university student Libby Squire, also joined.
Merseyside Police and Crime Commissioner Emily Spurrell said:
"We just have to keep making noise. We cannot let this fall down the list of priorities because this is clearly important.
"This is important to so many families and victims.
"The victims just don't feel heard. If we were to sit now and design a criminal justice system, it would not be the way that it is now because it is not designed for victims and the families who ultimately want this to provide them that closure.
"This is such a quick, simple thing that we could do that won't bring Olivia back but will help Cheryl and others who've been through this to get some of that closure and to know that individual has heard the impact that it's had."
A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said:
“Defendants who hide from justice can prolong the suffering of victims and their families which is why we plan to change the law so offenders face up to their actions and victims can see justice being served.”