Calls for new charge of second degree murder

NEW offences of first and second degree murder are to be considered in the wake of the “lenient” sentence handed out to Nottingham triple killer Valdo Calocane.

- Jon Austin

Justice Secretary Alex Chalk said that while it would be “complex” to introduce a two-tier system, it will now be considered.

The parents of Grace O’Malley-Kumar have backed the move - and vowed to hold him to his word.

Dr Sanjoy Kumar and Dr Sinéad O’Malley told the Sunday Express: “We fully support and ask for a relook at legislation that was put aside in 2006 that looked at reintroducing second degree murder. This legislation needs to be brought in as soon as possible as so many families face injustice with lenient sentencing in the UK.

“We as the family will be lobbying the Justice Secretary for the same. We have contacted our local MP, Wes Streeting, to ask and support the question in the Houses if it comes up.”

In the US, people who intend to kill, but only in the heat of the moment, can be convicted of second degree murder, as opposed to first degree, which is premeditated and planned.

Mr Chalk told MPs: “There is nothing I could say that would put right the horror that the poor families of Barnaby Webber, Grace O’MalleyKumar and Ian Coates suffered in those appalling attacks from Valdo Calocane.