Forcing criminals like Lucy Letby into court could make it all about them, former justice secretary says

Forcing criminals, such as Lucy Letby, to attend court for sentencing, runs the risk of letting defendants become “in control of events,” Sir Robert Buckland has said.

The nurse, 33, was not present to hear remarks from the judge and victims’ families on Monday (21 August) as she was given a whole life order for murdering seven babies and attempting to kill six more.

The former justice secretary said he worries that “dragging” criminals into court for sentencing “makes it all about the defendant once again.”

Sir Robert suggested that sound and pictures should be beamed into cells if criminals refuse to appear.