COWARDLY CRIMINALS WILL BE FORCED INTO DOCK

Two more years' jail for hiding in cell

- Martyn Brown

VILE murderers and rapists are to be forced to face their victims' families in court when they are sentenced.

Judges will be given the power to order them into the dock, with authorities able to use "reasonable force" on cowardly criminals who refuse to attend.

Rishi Sunak said legislation will be introduced this autumn.

The crackdown comes after several notorious killers caused uproar by refusing to appear, including baby murderer Lucy Letby and drug hitman Thomas Cashman, who shot dead nine-year-old Olivia Pratt-Korbel.

Mr Sunak met her mum Cheryl in No 10 to tell her of the change.

The PM said: "Like many, I was appalled that people who have committed awful crimes somehow are able to take the coward's way out and not appear in court for their sentencing and to hear the impact that their crimes have had on the victim's families.

"There shouldn't be an easy way out. That's why we're going to change the law so that courts could compel these offenders to be present for their sentencing and to hear the impact that their actions have had.

"But also, if necessary, to use reasonable force to bring those people to court, and also to add time on to their sentence if they don't appear. People rightly expect criminals to face up to the consequences of their actions."

The reforms will cover perpetrators of crimes carrying a maximum sentence of life in jail including murder, rape and GBH with intent. They will give custody staff powers to ensure offenders appear in the dock or on video for sentencing.