Criminals who refuse to attend sentencing to be punished under 'overdue reforms'
Cheryl Korbel and her family have long-campaigned for a law change
Last updated 7th May 2025
Judges will be able to hand down punishments to criminals who refuse to attend their sentencing hearings under fresh efforts to force them to face justice.
The tougher sanctions in England and Wales, including more jail time or loss of privileges in prison, are among the measures in the Government's Victims and Courts Bill to be introduced to Parliament on Wednesday.
The move comes after a series of high profile offenders refusing to face victims' families sparked public outcry, and calls by campaigners for a change in the law.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer promised to carry on the pledge to change the law, first made by his predecessor Rishi Sunak, when he met the mother of murdered nine-year-old Olivia Pratt-Korbel.
Cheryl Korbel and her family have campaigned to change the law so that offenders are compelled to appear in the dock for sentencing.
Thomas Cashman, the gunman who killed Olivia as he chased a drug dealer who had tried to run into her home in Knotty Ash, Liverpool, did not appear in court to hear his life sentence in April 2023.
Earlier this year, triple crossbow and knife killer Kyle Clifford refused to attend his sentencing where he received a whole life order in March, while Southport child-murderer Axel Rudakubana avoided facing victims' families as he was removed from his hearing for repeatedly shouting in January.
Other high-profile cases where offenders were absent from sentencing include serial child killer Lucy Letby, law graduate Zara Aleena's murderer Jordan McSweeney, and primary school teacher Sabina Nessa's killer Koci Selamaj.
Under the new legislation, judges will be given the power to sentence offenders for up to two more years in prison for avoiding justice.
For those who already face lengthy imprisonment or whole life orders, judges could also impose a range of prison punishments on offenders such as confinement to their cells and stripped of privileges such as extra gym time.
Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood said:
"This Bill will deliver long overdue reforms to ensure victims see justice done and are given the vital support they need as they rebuild their lives.
"There is still more work to do as we fix a justice system that was left on the brink of collapse, but this Bill is a step towards rebuilding victims' confidence through our Plan for Change."
The measure could apply to any case in the crown court, and include those such as Rudakubana who attended proceedings but was removed from the courtroom for disruptive behaviour.
Justice minister Alex Davies-Jones said:
"I would like to thank the remarkable families of Olivia Pratt-Korbel, Jan Mustafa, Sabina Nessa and Zara Aleena and countless others who have campaigned tirelessly for offenders to have to face the reality of their crimes by attending their sentencing.
"Justice isn't optional - we'll make sure criminals face their victims."
The Bill also plans to restrict parental responsibility from child sex offenders who committed serious crimes against their own child to boost protection for victims.
The move will stop them being able to ask for updates on their child's schooling or trying to interfere in their life.
Meanwhile, the Victims' Commissioner will be required to produce an independent report on whether agencies are meeting their statutory duty over the Victim's Code, in a bid to further hold the Government to account.
Victims' Commissioner for England and Wales, Baroness Newlove, said:
"These important and welcome reforms give the Victims' Commissioner the statutory powers needed to deliver on the role's promise: championing victims' rights, scrutinising compliance with the Victims' Code, holding agencies to account, and spotlighting the true victim experience to drive meaningful change.
"Crucially, it introduces much-needed oversight and accountability to how agencies respond to anti-social behaviour - an area where victims have too often felt unheard and unsupported."
Child protection charity the NSPCC backed the move, hoping it will lead to improvements in how young victims and survivors are treated and receive the support they are entitled to, but warned it was "not a complete solution".
Sam Whyte, of the NSPCC, said:
"These measures must be part of broader efforts to create a truly accountable criminal justice system.
"That must include Government using the upcoming Comprehensive Spending Review to commit the considerable investment needed in specific support for victims and survivors of child sexual abuse, so that every child can access the support they need, where and when they need it."