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Killers who refuse to face their victims' families at sentencing will face solitary confinement and bans on prison visits under new powers

Killers who refuse to face their victims' families at sentencing will face solitary confinement and bans on prison visits under new powers

The Ministry of Justice has admitted the existing extra two years for refusing to attend is 'little deterrent' to killers already facing long sentences. Southport killer Axel Rudakubana was sentenced in his absence to a minimum of 52 years. Prisons minister Catherine McKinnell said refusing to turn up is 'an insult to victims and their families'. The powers are due to come into force next year.

Judges could ban social visits for 27 days, but visits from children may be exempt.

Offenders aged 18 to 20 will face only ten days' confinement in their cells.

Thomas Cashman, who murdered Olivia Pratt-Korbel, also refused to face sentencing.

MoreYahoo News UKJudges handed more powers to punish killers absent from sentencing hearingSky NewsCowardly killers who refuse to attend sentencing will face new penaltiesLBCKillers who skip sentencing hearings could face three weeks in solitary confinement and lose prison visits under new penaltiesDaily Mail NewsCowardly killers who refuse to come to dock for sentencing face being locked in cell for three weeks and month-long ban on visits under new powersYahooJudges to punish killers who skip sentencing with solitary confinement - Yahoo
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