Murderers could be compelled to appear in court for sentencing under new laws
Justice Secretary Dominic Raab said he is considering new legislation after meeting with the family of Zara Aleena, whose killer avoided court.
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Murderers could be compelled to appear in court or face longer jail terms under new legislation proposed by Justice Secretary Dominic Raab.
After meeting with the family of Zara Aleena, whose killer was legally allowed not to attend his sentencing hearing, Mr Raab said he hoped to ensure murderers face longer prison sentences if they opt to skip court in future.
Ms Aleena, a 35-year-old aspiring lawyer, was sexually assaulted and killed by Jordan McSweeney as she was walking home in Ilford, east London, on June 26 last year, days after his prison release.
We are looking carefully at changing the law to compel offenders to attend their sentencing – making sure they face up to their actions and victims can see justice being served.
On Thursday, Ms Aleena’s aunt Farah Naz met with Mr Raab, who is also deputy prime minister, alongside Labour MP for Ilford South Sam Tarry.
In a statement following the meeting, Mr Raab said the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) is “looking carefully” at changing the law to ensure defendants can no longer “hide” from hearings.
He said: “This was a despicable crime and we apologise unreservedly to Zara Aleena’s family for the unacceptable failings in this case.
“Defendants who hide from justice can prolong the suffering of victims.
“That is why we are looking carefully at changing the law to compel offenders to attend their sentencing – making sure they face up to their actions and victims can see justice being served.”
Speaking with the BBC, Mr Raab also said that making convicts appear at sentencing hearings was “the very least the victims deserve” and a “basic principle of British justice”.
He added that he is considering granting judges the power to impose longer terms on those who refuse to appear.
Ms Naz said McSweeney’s absence at the sentencing hearing was a “slap in the face” for her family.
She told the BBC: “He needed to look at our faces and see how he hadn’t just killed Zara, he had killed a whole family.”