Sister of Sabina Nessa welcomes plans to punish criminals who avoid sentencing
The sister of murdered primary school teacher Sabina Nessa said plans to punish criminals who avoid sentencing were a step in right direction.
Tougher sanctions are being proposed in England and Wales which include more jail time or loss of privileges in prison.
The families of Sabina Nessa and law graduate Zara Aleena are among those to have campaigned for change after their loved ones' killers were absent from sentencing hearings.
Speaking to ITV News London, Sabina's sister Jebina Islam said it was important criminals were present, adding: "We thought he took the cowardly route out - we wanted him to hear our victim impact statement and what affect he had on us as a family.
"When he didn't come to court [for sentencing] I was shocked.
"I wanted him to hear what he had done to us - I wanted him to look at us and look me in the eye when I was reading the impact statement to tell him how much he has hurt me and my family and he's left a big hole in all of our hearts."
Plans for tougher sanctions in England and Wales are among the measures in the Government's Victims and Courts Bill to be introduced to Parliament on Wednesday.
Under the new legislation, judges will be given the power to sentence offenders for up to two more years in prison.
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 being stripped of privileges such as extra gym time.
"I think it [the Bill] is a step in the right direction, it's a really good positive step that victims' families voices are being heard and being valued as well and listened to by parliament," Jebina Islam said.
"I think with violence against young women and girls we are going through an epidemic.
"We need more education for young children at school so they have an understanding of what's wrong and right," she added.
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."
Family 'heartbroken' after body found in River Thames confirmed to be schoolgirl
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."
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