Latest news with #VictimsandCourtsBill
Evening Standard
13 hours ago
- Politics
- Evening Standard
Rape victims can now challenge CPS if criminal cases are being dropped
'It has been a privilege to work with Jade in her tireless efforts to seek justice and push for much-needed reform. While this pilot is encouraging, the need for change is already clear. I urge Government not to delay, and to act now – these improvements can and should be implemented swiftly through the Victims and Courts Bill, so that all victims have meaningful access to justice.'
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
21-05-2025
- Politics
- ITV News
Sir Keir Starmer commits to passing Olivia's Law 'as quickly as we can' after meeting Cheryl Korbel
Olivia's mother Cheryl Korbel met with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer The mother of Olivia Pratt-Korbel has met with the prime minister, after campaigning for criminals to be compelled to appear in the dock for sentencing. Cheryl Korbel spoke with Sir Keir Starmer, alongside Olivia's aunt Antonia Elverson, after attending PMQs in Westminster. The prime minister praised the pair for campaigning for Olivia's Law, renewing his commitment to seeing it through. He said: "You've changed the lives of other families who sadly will go through the awful trauma you've been through, but now have the opportunity to see the perpetrator sentenced and to put that victim impact statement, or whatever it may be, to him or her." Sir Keir Starmer promised to carry on the pledge to change the law, first made by his predecessor Rishi Sunak, when he met with Ms Korbel in January this year. He concluded by saying: "We'll get it through as quickly as we can now, and it will go through intact". Yesterday, the words of Olivia Pratt-Korbel's mother were spoken in parliament by an MP, as measures to compel criminals to appear in the dock for sentencing were brought to the Commons. In an emotional contribution, Anneliese Midgley read out Cheryl Korbel's victim's statement, which her nine-year-old daughter's killer "refused to hear" in court. 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 to hear his life sentence in April 2023. As Ms Korbel watched tearfully from the gallery, the Labour MP for Knowsley praised her for her campaigning on Olivia's law. Under the legislation, judges will be given the power to sentence offenders for up to two more years in prison for avoiding sentencing hearings. For offenders who already face lengthy imprisonment or whole life orders, judges could also impose a range of prison punishments such as confinement to their cells and being stripped of privileges such as extra gym time. The measures are part of the Victims and Courts Bill, which had its second reading in the Commons on Tuesday. In her victim statement, Ms Korbel described Olivia as "the light of our lives, our beautiful, sassy, chatty girl who never ran out of energy". Ms Korbel had also said: "My worst nightmare was being separated from Liv and not being with her when she needed me the most, I was the first person to hold my baby girl, and as her mum, I should have been the last. "I cannot get my head around how Cashman continued to shoot after hearing the terrifying screams, the utter devastation he has caused, he doesn't care, how could he? "His actions have left the biggest hole in our lives that can never be filled. "That man set out to do a job and he didn't care about anyone else or who got in the way. He certainly couldn't own it either." Concluding her speech, Ms Midgley said: "Let Cheryl's words be heard. Let them be honoured. Let Olivia's law pass, and make sure that no victim's voice is ever shut out of justice again."
ITV News
20-05-2025
- Politics
- ITV News
Words of Olivia Pratt-Korbel's mother read out in Parliament in emotional speech by MP
The words of Olivia Pratt-Korbel's heartbroken mother have been spoken in Parliament by an MP, as measures to compel criminals to appear in the dock for sentencing were brought to the Commons. In an emotional contribution, Anneliese Midgley read out Cheryl Korbel's victim's statement, which her nine-year-old daughter's killer 'refused to hear' in court. 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 to hear his life sentence in April 2023. As Ms Korbel watched tearfully from the gallery, the Labour MP for Knowsley praised her for her campaigning on Olivia's law. Under the legislation, judges will be given the power to sentence offenders for up to two more years in prison for avoiding justice. For offenders 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. 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 with Ms Korbel in January this year. The measures are part of the Victims and Courts Bill, which had its second reading in the Commons on Tuesday. Speaking during the debate, Ms Midgley said: 'Today I speak to one part of this Bill that will require convicted offenders to attend their sentence hearings and provide consequences where they refuse. It's known as Olivia's law. 'Olivia Pratt-Korbel was nine years old when she was murdered in her own home, by a stranger with a gun. The murderer, Thomas Cashman fired a bullet through the door of Olivia's home, which passed through the wrist of my constituent, Cheryl Korbel, Olivia's mother, before hitting Olivia in the chest and ending her life. 'Cheryl and her cousin Antonia are with us in the chamber today. 'To lose a child to murder in your own home while trying to protect them is a burden no parent should ever be asked to bear. But under our current justice system, convicted criminals can opt-out of attending their own sentencing. 'That's what Olivia's murderer did. Cashman remained in his cell, refusing to face the court, to hear Cheryl's words, to look her in the eye. It was the act of a coward. That injustice must end. '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 would suffer the same. 'Olivia's law is her work, it's Olivia's legacy, it's Cheryl's legacy. 'Today I will read out Cheryl's victim impact statement. These are the words the murderer, the coward Thomas Cashman refused to hear. I want the words of Cheryl Korbel committed to this House, so they will be on record in this place forever. 'Let her words ring out in this chamber, like they should have done in Cashman's ears that day.' In her victim statement, Ms Korbel described Olivia as 'the light of our lives, our beautiful, sassy, chatty girl who never ran out of energy'. Ms Korbel had also said: 'My worst nightmare was being separated from Liv and not being with her when she needed me the most, I was the first person to hold my baby girl, and as her mum, I should have been the last. 'I cannot get my head around how Cashman continued to shoot after hearing the terrifying screams, the utter devastation he has caused, he doesn't care, how could he? 'His actions have left the biggest hole in our lives that can never be filled. That man set out to do a job and he didn't care about anyone else or who got in the way. He certainly couldn't own it either.' Concluding her speech, Ms Midgley said: 'Let Cheryl's words be heard. Let them be honoured. Let Olivia's law pass, and make sure that no victim's voice is ever shut out of justice again.'
South Wales Argus
20-05-2025
- Politics
- South Wales Argus
Words of heartbroken mother read out in Parliament in emotional speech by MP
In an emotional contribution, Anneliese Midgley read out Cheryl Korbel's victim's statement, which her nine-year-old daughter's killer 'refused to hear' in court. 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 to hear his life sentence in April 2023. As Ms Korbel watched tearfully from the gallery, the Labour MP for Knowsley praised her for her campaigning on Olivia's law. Under the legislation, judges will be given the power to sentence offenders for up to two more years in prison for avoiding justice. For offenders 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. 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 with Ms Korbel in January this year. The measures are part of the Victims and Courts Bill, which had its second reading in the Commons on Tuesday. Cheryl Korbel speaks outside Manchester Crown Court after Thomas Cashman was sentenced (Peter Byrne/PA) Speaking during the debate, Ms Midgley said: 'Today I speak to one part of this Bill that will require convicted offenders to attend their sentence hearings and provide consequences where they refuse. It's known as Olivia's law. 'Olivia Pratt-Korbel was nine years old when she was murdered in her own home, by a stranger with a gun. The murderer, Thomas Cashman fired a bullet through the door of Olivia's home, which passed through the wrist of my constituent, Cheryl Korbel, Olivia's mother, before hitting Olivia in the chest and ending her life. 'Cheryl and her cousin Antonia are with us in the chamber today. 'To lose a child to murder in your own home while trying to protect them is a burden no parent should ever be asked to bear. But under our current justice system, convicted criminals can opt-out of attending their own sentencing. 'That's what Olivia's murderer did. Cashman remained in his cell, refusing to face the court, to hear Cheryl's words, to look her in the eye. It was the act of a coward. That injustice must end. '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 would suffer the same. 'Olivia's law is her work, it's Olivia's legacy, it's Cheryl's legacy. 'Today I will read out Cheryl's victim impact statement. These are the words the murderer, the coward Thomas Cashman refused to hear. I want the words of Cheryl Korbel committed to this House, so they will be on record in this place forever. 'Let her words ring out in this chamber, like they should have done in Cashman's ears that day.' In her victim statement, Ms Korbel described Olivia as 'the light of our lives, our beautiful, sassy, chatty girl who never ran out of energy'. Ms Korbel had also said: 'My worst nightmare was being separated from Liv and not being with her when she needed me the most, I was the first person to hold my baby girl, and as her mum, I should have been the last. 'I cannot get my head around how Cashman continued to shoot after hearing the terrifying screams, the utter devastation he has caused, he doesn't care, how could he? 'His actions have left the biggest hole in our lives that can never be filled. That man set out to do a job and he didn't care about anyone else or who got in the way. He certainly couldn't own it either.' Concluding her speech, Ms Midgley said: 'Let Cheryl's words be heard. Let them be honoured. Let Olivia's law pass, and make sure that no victim's voice is ever shut out of justice again.'
