News
‘Cowardly’ criminals ordered to attend final court sentencing hearings
They'll face even longer behind bars if they don't.
“Cowardly” criminals who try to evade the final moment of justice are to be forced to attend their sentencing hearings, the Government has announced.
And they will face even longer behind bars if they refuse to appear.
In the wake of a number of recent highly-publicised examples of criminals failing to appear in the dock for their final sentencing, including former neonatal nurse and serial killer Lucy Letby, who was convicted for murdering seven babies and attempting to kill six more between 2015 and 2016, and gunman Thomas Cashman, who killed nine-year-old Olivia Pratt-Korbel in Liverpool back in August 2022, the Government has this week announced reforms that will create new powers for judges.
These reforms will now grant judges the power to order an offender to attend their hearings, and make it clear in law that force can be used to make sure this happens.
The power of custody officers to use “reasonable force” to make criminals appear in the dock or via video link will also be enshrined in law, the Government has confirmed.
This means “every effort” will be made for victims and their families to “see justice delivered”.
Not only that, but the Government has also revealed that if a criminal continues to resist to order to attend their final sentencing despite a judge’s order – specifically in cases where the maximum sentence is life imprisonment – they will even face an extra two years behind bars.
The change will mean victims can “look offenders in the eye” and tell them of the “devastating consequences of their crime” as they read out their impact statement, rather than addressing an empty dock, the Government says.
“It is unacceptable that some of the country’s most horrendous criminals have refused to face their victims in court,” Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said as the reforms were announced.
“They cannot and should not be allowed to take the coward’s way out.
“That’s why we are giving judges the power to order vile offenders to attend their sentencing hearings, with those who refuse facing being forced into the dock or spending longer behind bars.”
The Government says judges will have the discretion to assess the situation around the case and those it involves, and use these new powers “as they see fit” so that they can “ensure justice is done” in the correct way.
Read more:
Legislation to introduce these changes will be “set out in due course”, the Government concluded.
Featured Image – Cheshire Constabulary | Merseyside Police
News
Everyone in England can now get FREE careers advice as part of a new Government scheme
Emily Sergeant
People all across the country now have the ability to access support from dedicated career advisers completely free of charge.
That’s because, for the first time ever, the full range of support previously offered by the National Careers Service will be available through Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) under the Government, creating a more joined-up service for people at every stage of their career.
Around 500 qualified careers advisers have joined the DWP, it has been confirmed, and they will provide expert careers information, advice, and guidance alongside the existing employment and skills support that are already available through Jobcentres.
But the key is here, the free careers support will be available to everyone – regardless of whether they claim benefits.
The services are set to be accessed either online, over the phone, or through face-to-face appointments at Jobcentres, giving people a single place to access the advice they need to take their next step.
As mentioned, these new services are part of the wider reforms the Government says it is taking to ‘give everyone the opportunity to succeed’.
These reforms include £2.5 billion of youth employment support, and £3.5 billion investment in employment support for disabled people and those with long-term health conditions.
Read more:
Support can be accessed online via the Get Careers Information and Advice page HERE, as well as through the freephone service on 0800 072 0288.
Face-to-face appointments will then be available in Jobcentres later this month.
Featured Image – Vitaly Gariev (via Unsplash)
News
Beloved Manchester artist Stanley Chow slams Conservative Party for using his artwork
Daisy Jackson
Celebrated local artist Stanley Chow has lashed out at the Conservative Party.
The illustrator, who is famed for his cartoon portraits of famous faces, has discovered that the political party have been using his Andy Burnham illustration at their party conference.
Publicly addressing the usage, Stanley said he would be ‘seeking legal advice’.
He shared a photo of his Andy Burnham portrait that has been placed onto a water bottle with the slogan ‘Bottler Burnham’.
The label also says: “0% strength. Bottled under pressure from Badenoch.”
In another photo, Stanley Chow revealed that the Tory party conference has used his Andy Burnham portrait on pots of sweets, too.
This time, they say: “Andy Panders’ people pleaser pick n mix. Free sweets for everyone, it will only cost you higher taxes.”
Stanley wrote: “It seems like @conservatives have been using my artwork without my permission at their conference party…
“Regardless of whatever your political allegiances are, it’s still copyright infringement… I’ll be seeking legal advice.”
Backing him up in the comments are a number of other local artists, including Mancsy, who said: “As well as the copyright infringement, I expect more of political parties than making gags at the expense of the opposition. It’s alarming on multiple levels.”
Someone else wrote: “Imagine calling a prime minister a people pleaser like it’s an insult… when it’s their job.”
Another person said: “How does that even happen?! Layers of people signing off who go, ‘Sure, let’s not worry about copyright’ (people who’ve presumably never step foot in MCR and seen your artwork, like EVERYWHERE). Drag em, babe. Copyright and reputation, surely.”
Read more
Featured image: The Manc Group
Emily Sergeant -
31st August 2023 
