Abusers who kill partners face at least 25 years in prison

DOMESTIC abusers who kill their partners face a minimum of 25 years in jail under plans to end “soft” sentences.

Ministers are proposing a shake-up under which killers with a history of coercive or controlling behaviour against their victims will face tougher sentences.

The use of excessive or gratuitous violence will also be made an aggravating factor in sentencing decisions for murder, the Ministry of Justice announces today.

The changes to the law follow a review by Clare Wade KC, who was defence barrister for Sally Challen – the first woman to have her conviction for murdering her husband quashed under coercive control laws.

Ms Wade found that the current sentencing system failed to take account of the fact that many domestic homicides are preceded by years of abuse.

Dominic Raab, the Justice Secretary, said: “This Government will do everything we can to protect vulnerable women and keep in prison for longer those who attack or threaten them.”

The 25-year minimum sentence currently only applies to premeditated killings where a knife is taken to the scene of the crime. It is 10 years more than the current starting point for murder in the home where a weapon, such as a kitchen knife, may already be present.

Under the changes, judges will also be required to treat coercive or controlling behaviour by a killer as an aggravating factor.

The same will apply to so-called “overkill” offences where a killer causes multiple injuries in a frenzy of violence and anger.