Kay’s Law will crack down on freed abusers
DEADLY Martin was freed to murder Kay
DOMESTIC abuse victims will see alleged attackers barred from pubs, schools and friends’ houses under new legislation.
Called Kay’s Law, it aims to safeguard women from men accused of violence, sexual abuse or stalking them only to be released without strict bail conditions.
It’s named after Kay Richardson, a carer bludgeoned to death by her abusive bricklayer husband who was handed the keys to her home along with his personal possessions as police let him go under investigation.
Under new pre-bail rules, officers will be able to lay down stricter release conditions after consulting victims.
Women will be able to get suspects banned from anywhere where their presence would make them feel at risk, including places they frequented together or where friends and families gather.
The move is part of reforms to Release under Investigation which frees suspects without bail conditions. It was brought in four years ago to stop them being on life-limiting bail for months without charge.
But it came under increasing scrutiny in 2018 when Kay, 49, was killed at the Sunderland home she owned with Alan Martin, 53, who then hanged himself.
Police said they had no powers to seize his keys as he was a part-owner.
The RUI reform is part of the Police, Crime and Courts Bill unveiled by Home Secretary Priti Patel last week in the wake of outrage over the murder of Sarah Everard, 33, in South London.
Domestic violence soared during lockdown with one in five of all offences recorded by the police in April, May and June related to domestic abuse, according the Office for National Statistics. It came as prosecutions for rape fell to their lowest level since records began.
OUTRAGE Over killing of Sarah