Latest news with #Olivia'sLaw
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Prisoners who skip sentencing 'should lose visits'
Plans to stop prison visits for criminals who refuse to attend their sentencing hearing have been supported by the mother of a murdered nine-year-old girl. Cheryl Korbel, whose daughter Olivia Pratt-Korbel was fatally shot by Thomas Cashman in Dovecot, Liverpool, in August 2022, said: "If we want to see our loved ones, we have to visit a cemetery but they still have the right to see their family." Cashman refused to attend court to be sentenced in April 2023, prompting Olivia's family to campaign for a change in the law. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer praised Ms Korbel, saying her determination to bring about change would be "heard by the whole world". Olivia was fatally shot by Cashman when he chased a fellow drug dealer into her home on 22 August 2022. Olivia's Law is part of the Victims and Courts Bill which is progressing through Parliament. It would mean that criminals who refuse to attend sentencing, or disrupt hearings in England and Wales, could face an additional two years in prison as well as other sanctions, including missing out on family visits. Ms Korbel told BBC Radio Merseyside: "If we want to see our loved ones that aren't here anymore we have to go to a cemetery, but they still have the right to see their family. "If they are going to object to coming up (for sentencing) then that sanction should be put in place." The proposed legislation had its second reading in the House of Commons on Tuesday. Her MP Anneliese Midgley, who represents Knowsley, spoke in the debate. Her speech included the victim impact statement which Ms Korbel read at Cashman's sentencing hearing, despite him not being in court to hear it. Ms Korbel and her cousin Antonia Elverson were also present for Prime Minister's Questions on Wednesday, where Midgley asked the Starmer to commit Olivia's Law to the statue books "as soon as possible". Starmer welcomed Olivia's family to the House of Commons before adding: "I am always humbled by those with the courage to respond to appalling heartbreak by campaigning for change and I know the whole house will pay tribute to her extraordinary courage and resolve." He thanked Midgley for reading Ms Korbel's victim impact statement "because I know from talking to Cheryl how hard it was for her to make in the first place". The prime minister went on: "It took a huge amount of courage and grief, and she wanted to read that statement to the perpetrator as she should have been able to do, and I know how visceral the pain is to her of not being able to have done so." Starmer said: "Cowards who commit these heinous crimes should face the consequences of their actions and that's why we will force offenders to attend sentencing hearings." Midgley said she wanted to read the statement in full to ensure the words were forever recorded in Hansard, the Parliamentary record. "They were words she was denied saying to the murderer of her child in court, and spearheaded her campaign to get the law changed," said the Labour MP, adding that she hoped it would bring Ms Korbel "a sense of justice" that "she was denied". Ms Korbel said hearing her words read in Parliament had been "one of the hardest moments" of her campaign. Ms Elverson said: "It's so poignant because those words are going to go down in history. "They will be there for anyone to research and when we are gone for our family to look back on." She said it had been "really difficult" because "it did take us back" to the time of Cashman's trial. Midgley said there were provisions in the Bill which would mean that, as well as having their sentence extended, offenders who refused to attend sentencing hearings could face unlimited fines and lose privileges including family visits and social time. She said the Bill had received cross-party support from MPs. After more scrutiny, the draft law will return to the Commons for a third and final reading. Listen to the best of BBC Radio Merseyside on Sounds and follow BBC Merseyside on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230. Olivia's mum backs sentencing refusal law change Olivia's murderer jailed for at least 42 years UK Parliament Prime Minister's Office
ITV News
20-05-2025
- Politics
- ITV News
Olivia Pratt-Korbel's mum in Westminster for next stage of her fight for law change
The mother of nine-year-old Olivia Pratt-Korbel, who was killed in her own home in Liverpool, has travelled to Westminster to see her campaign to change the law in her daughter's name reach a crucial stage. Olivia's Law would seek to compel people convicted of serious offences to appear in court when they are being sentenced. It was the idea of Olivia's mum Cheryl Korbel, who was appalled when her daughter's killer, Thomas Cashman, refused to leave his cell when he was sentenced to 42 years at Manchester Crown hope is that tougher sanctions could be introduced in similar situations, including more jail time or loss of privileges in prison. The measures would be included in the Government's Victims and Courts Bill, which is having its second reading in was killed when drug dealer Thomas Cashman fired at a rival, who was trying to force his way into her home in Dovecot in August 2022. Her mother Cheryl was injured, but the same bullet struck Olivia a fatal injury in her 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. Speaking to ITV News at Westminster, Cheryl said, of the effort to get Olivia's Law to such a crucial stage in the Parliamentary process: "There's a lot that's gone on - it's thanks to family and friends and everyone who has supported us. "It means a lot and it's not just for our family - it's for other families that have got to do the same thing and hopefully it will be stopped and they(defendants who refuse to come to court) will be coming up and facing what they need to face."Olivia's aunt, Antonia Elverson, speaking of the Bill one day becoming law, added: "It's everything we've fought for - it's everything that's right." The MP for Knowsley, Annalise Midgley, said in the Commons: " Nothing in this world can bring Olivia back. But instead of collapsing under this weight, Cheryl fought back."She and her family have campaigned - so no other family will suffer the same."Olivia's Law is her work. It is Olivia's legacy. It is Cheryl's legacy."Olivia's Law is a simple change: Give judges the power to compel offenders to attend their sentencing they refuse, there are consequences - real and proportionate sanctions; limiting privileges like visitation or time out of cell."Cheryl fought hard for that principle — that refusal should carry consequences. Without it, the law would lack the strength it needs."
ITV News
06-05-2025
- Politics
- ITV News
Plans to punish criminals who avoid sentencing ‘step in right direction'
New powers for judges to punish criminals who refuse to attend their sentencing hearings sends a 'clear message' that offenders cannot 'opt out' of justice, victims' families have said. Plans for 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 a public outcry, and calls by campaigners for a change in the law. Families of murdered primary school teacher Sabina Nessa, law graduate Zara Aleena and mother-of-three Jan Mustafa are among those to have campaigned for the change after their loved ones' killers were absent from sentencing hearings. Reacting to the 'long-awaited' proposals, Ms Nessa's sister Jebina Islam, Ms Aleena's aunt Farah Naz and Ms Mustafa's cousin Ayse Hussein, said: 'This move holds offenders to account. 'It sends a clear and necessary message: the justice system is not something you should be able to opt out of. 'It is not about punishment through force — but about ensuring that perpetrators cannot remove themselves from the consequences of their actions.' Their joint statement said the legislation was a 'step in the right direction' alongside wider campaigns, and that the proposed punishments indicated 'this change is being taken seriously'. They added: 'This change supports victims and society alike. It shows justice being done. 'It gives families a moment of recognition and a form of reparation. It is a moment of reckoning for the convicted.' 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. Ms Korbel's MP, Anneliese Midgley, said of the legislation: 'This law is down in no small part to my constituent Cheryl Korbel. I am so proud of her. 'Sentencing is not just a legal formality; it is the culmination of justice. That's why it's so important that justice is not only done, but seen to be done. 'Olivia's Law will make sure it is.' 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 being stripped of privileges such as extra gym time. 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. 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.'
Daily Mirror
04-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mirror
Vile criminals who try to dodge justice will face fresh punishment under new Labour law
Cowardly offenders who fail to attend their sentencing hearings could be placed in solitary confinement in jail or face other sanctions such as having their access to the gym cut Vile criminals who refuse to face justice will be punished with up to an extra two years in prison, an unlimited fine or prison sanctions. Cowardly offenders who fail to attend their sentencing hearings could be placed in solitary confinement in jail or face other sanctions such as having their access to the gym or work programmes slashed. Those who are disruptive during their sentencing hearings - such as Southport killer Axel Rudakubana - will also face the same punishments. Victims' Minister Alex Davies-Jones told The Mirror 'justice is not optional' and that offenders must 'face up to the horrific crimes that they've done'. The move is a huge victory for grieving families who have fiercely campaigned on the issue after despicable criminals who destroyed their lives refused to face justice. It is also a win for The Mirror, which launched the Face Justice campaign calling for a change in the law. Labour 's Victims and Courts Bill, which is expected to be introduced this week, will give judges a power in law to order offenders of all crimes in the Crown Court to attend their sentencing hearing. The legislation has been strengthened since the Tories proposed a version, which they later ditched when the general election was called. The Conservatives' plan only applied in cases where the maximum sentence was life imprisonment and only included the penalty of extra prison time. Labour ministers have added further punishments as they acknowledge that extra jail time is not a threat to a criminal who is already facing life in custody. Among bereaved relatives who have campaigned is Cheryl Korbel, the mum of nine-year-old Olivia, who was killed by drug dealer Thomas Cashman when she was caught in a crossfire in her home in Liverpool, in August 2022. Cheryl Korbel has been campaigning for 'Olivia's Law' to force offenders to face justice after her daughter's cowardly killer refused to leave his cell for his sentencing hearing. Farah Naz, the aunt of murdered law graduate Zara Aleena, has also called for a change in the law, having said she wanted killer Jordan McSweeney to hear in person how he 'completely destroyed' them after he refused to attend court. Others who have campaigned on the issue include Ayse Hussein, whose cousin Jan Mustafa was murdered, and Jebina Yasmin Islam, whose sister Sabina Nessa was also murdered. They were also both denied the opportunity to see their loved ones' evil killers face justice. During sentencing hearings, victims or their families can read personal statements where they are able to describe, in their own words, how the crime has affected them, physically, emotionally, financially, or otherwise. It gives them a voice in the criminal justice process and it can play a part in sentencing at court. Prison officers will be able to use 'reasonable force' to bring offenders to the dock. If they still refuse to attend, there is the option to force them to watch or listen to the sentencing hearing in a video suite in jail to ensure they still hear the impact of their crimes, as well as facing punishments. In an interview with The Mirror, Ms Davies-Jones said: 'I pay immense tribute to Cheryl Korbel, Olivia's mum, the family of Jan Mustafa, Zara Aleena, Sabina Nessa and countless others. And the Mirror's campaign as well, in terms of holding government to account to make sure that we bring in this new measure so that families can see justice being done.' She added: 'Justice is not optional. Victims deserve to see justice being done, and the perpetrators should have to face their victims and face up to their crimes. 'They deserve to look the victims and their families in the eyes and face up to the horrific crimes that they've done.' Asked what her personal message is to the families who have campaigned, Ms Davies-Jones told them: 'Thank you for all of the work that you've done. I know it's taken an immense personal, emotional toll on you, and it's been a privilege to work with you to make sure that we get this right for you, and so that we have a legacy to the victims, and so that what has happened to them sadly, and their families, won't happen to any other.'
