New punishments for criminals who skip sentence will 'rebalance power', aunt of murder victim says

Offenders who refuse to face the families of their victims in court will soon be hit with tougher prison sanctions under new UK government plans.

From next year, judges will be able to order offenders who skip their sentencing hearings to be confined to their cells for up to three weeks and to have their social visits cut back. Visits from their children would remain protected, and offenders aged 18 to 20 would face shorter restrictions.

The proposals build on an existing law that already requires criminals to attend sentencing or face a fine or up to two additional years in prison. The Ministry of Justice has acknowledged that extra jail time alone is unlikely to deter someone already serving a life term, so the new measures target day-to-day privileges instead.

The aunt of Zara Aleena, a 35-year-old law graduate who was sexually assaulted and murdered in east London in June 2022, welcomed the move, saying it would "rebalance the power" in the justice system. Her killer, Jordan McSweeney, stayed in his cell when he was given a life sentence at the Old Bailey, with a minimum term of 38 years that was later reduced to 33 on appeal.

The families of murdered teacher Sabina Nessa and Jan Mustafa, whose killers also refused to attend their sentencings, joined the campaign for change. The prisons minister said criminals should not get to pick and choose when they face justice, while Prison Reform Trust chief executive Pia Sinha said ministers must show the sanctions will actually improve attendance. Victims' Commissioner Claire Waxman said it was "essential" the powers were used consistently.