Dame calls for action over judge
dead by officers, she said it was vital that legislation about early release of terror offenders was not retrospective.
She said: “The problem with the Streatham guy was the automatic right to make a decision whether the person is safe or not and that is not wise with people who are highly dangerous.
“In lots and lots of other kinds of cases there is a serious risk of harm to the public. By and large changes should not be retrospective.” It emerged at the time that
Amman was being watched by a 20-strong team of police officers.
But she said the changes underlined by the Justice Secretary Robert Buckland to impose emergency legislation will be introduced to end the automatic early release from prison of terror offenders was a welcome step.
Mr Buckland indicated to MPs the change would apply to both current and future offenders.
She warned: “Twenty police officers for a person is not a practical proposition for most people.” In her time in the role, she has worked with Ministers to ensure victims can challenge sentences for some offences if victims feel it was not enough.
“Coercive control, stalking and some sexual abuse sentences which weren’t on the unduly lenient scheme before but are now we pressured for that,” she said.
She has also campaigned hard for victims to have a transcript of sentencing remarks as many are unable to take in what has been said during the proceedings.
Dame Vera said: “They are going to video crown court judges sentencing remarks.
“It’s not going to be in real time, there’s going to be delay and identities will be protected.
“It will be on a website so you can replay it and the judge’s reasoning is there. People have been arguing for it in the Ministry of Justice. They have an agreement with broadcasters and the aim is to have it everywhere.”
UNDER-fire Judge Robin Tolson QC is “a living example of something going very badly wrong” within the Family Court, the Victims’ Commissioner said.
Dame Vera Baird spoke out after Judge Tolson dismissed a woman’s rape claim because she had taken “no physical steps” to stop a man from raping her and that this did not constitute rape.
His judgment led the woman in the case to lose her children.
But rather than accept the ruling the woman decided to challenge it via appeal and last month the High Court said the judgment was “so flawed as to require a retrial”.
Shadow policing minister Louise Haigh revealed the situation by using privilege during a session in Parliament and challenged his remarks.
More than 130 lawyers and women’s rights groups have now signed a letter calling for his position to be reviewed.
They said his attitudes “leave children and women at risk of serious harm”.
Dame Vera also wrote to the Lord Chief Justice and the Secretary of State for Justice calling for a review.
The Daily Express End This Injustice crusade aims to remove the parental rights of fathers of children conceived through rape.
It also wants an inquiry into the handling by family courts of domestic abuse and violence against women and girls in child arrangement cases.
Judge Tolson was not available for comment.