Judges to be given powers to force offenders to attend sentencing in person

It follows calls from families who didn't get the chance to face their loved ones killers

Face the Family campaign
Author: Abi SimpsonPublished 30th Aug 2023
Last updated 16th Feb 2024

Judges will be given the power to order an offender to attend a sentencing hearing, including by force if necessary, under new planned legislation announced by the Ministry of Justice.

The Government has promised legislation to force serious offenders to attend their sentencing, with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak calling it “unacceptable” that some criminals have refused to face their victims.

It comes in the wake of a series of high-profile cases, including that of serial killer nurse, Lucy Letby, Zara Aleena and Sabina Nessa.

The promised reforms will give custody officers the power to use “reasonable force” to ensure those awaiting sentencing appear in the dock or via video link.

Cheryl Korbel

Face the Family campaign

It comes after the Face the Family campaign was launched, after Liverpool schoolgirl Olivia Pratt-Korbel's murderer refused to come up from the cells to hear her family's victim impact statements.

Her family's taken to cities canvassing support for a change in the law - on a petition which has more than 38 thousand signatures.

The change means offenders who refuse could be forced into the dock by prison staff or receive an extra two years in prison.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said: “It is unacceptable that some of the country’s most horrendous criminals have refused to face their victims in court. They cannot and should not be allowed to take the coward’s way out.

“That’s why we are giving judges the power to order vile offenders to attend their sentencing hearings, with those who refuse facing being forced into the dock or spending longer behind bars.”

Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice, Alex Chalk KC, said: “Every time a cowardly criminal hides from justice by refusing to appear in the dock for their sentencing it is another insult to their victims and their families.

“Our reforms will give judges the power to order offenders to come to court to hear the impact of their crimes directly from victims, so that they begin their sentences with society’s condemnation ringing in their ears.”

Hear the latest news from across the UK every hour, on Planet Rock on DAB, smartspeaker, and on the Rayo app.