Law that forces killers to court may not come before election

A LAW that would force killers to appear in court for their sentencing may not be brought in before the next election, Rishi Sunak has conceded.

Earlier this year, the Prime Minister promised to look at changing the rules after the man who shot dead nine-yearold Olivia Pratt-korbel refused to leave his cell to be sentenced.

However, speaking during his Japan trip, Mr Sunak was unable to say if the legislation will be introduced in the King’s Speech this autumn – or even before the next general election.

He said that the fatal shooting of Olivia in her own home by drug-dealer

‘We’ll have to wait for the legislative opportunity but the commitment that we made stands’

Thomas Cashman was “absolutely shocking”. Cashman was jailed for life with a minimum of 42-years but was sentenced in his absence after refusing to attend the hearing. He is the latest in a string of killers who refused to face the court, prompting calls for an urgent change in the law.

Asked about the timing of any new legislation, Mr Sunak said: “What happened to Olivia in the summer – my daughters are of a similar age and it’s absolutely shocking ... with regards to that we’ve got a commitment in place. It requires legislation and so we’ll have to wait for the legislative opportunity but the commitment that we made stands.

“We haven’t published our fourth session legislation yet so that will be the time for people to see what the legislative programme is for the fourth session.”

Pressed on whether that meant a new law could be delayed until after the general election, he said: “As I said we haven’t published the fourth session legislative agenda yet so I’d wait to see.”