Victims and their families will now have an extended period to contest lenient sentences given to criminals following a significant overhaul in the legal process.
Under the new rules, loved ones will have six months after a criminal is sentenced to request harsher penalties, which is a significant increase from the previous 28-day limit. Additionally, there will be a mandatory requirement to inform survivors of their right to challenge a sentence.
The decision was praised by activist Tracey Hanson, who has been advocating for reforms since her son Josh, aged 21, was murdered in 2015 by Shane O’Brien, a notorious fugitive in the UK.
Initially unaware of her ability to challenge the sentence imposed on her son’s killer, Tracey’s application was rejected for being submitted outside of office hours on the final day of the 28-day deadline.
Expressing her gratitude for the changes, Tracey from Bedfordshire stated, “These revisions mark a hard-won triumph in ensuring that families are not kept in the dark or hurried through a distressing process during the most agonizing moments of their lives. These adjustments serve as a tribute to Josh’s memory and the unwavering dedication of all those who supported the Josh Hanson Trust.”
Katie Brett, whose sister Sasha Marsden, aged 16, was brutally murdered by David Minto, has also been campaigning for change. Minto received a life sentence with a minimum term of 35 years in 2013 for the heinous crime.
Katie remarked, “Our lives were shattered when my 16-year-old sister Sasha was killed. Like all victims, we had only 28 days to appeal the sentence and were not informed until it was too late. It is a relief that, in Sasha’s honor, victims and their families will now have six months to contest an unduly lenient sentence. The new legal obligation to be notified ensures that every family is aware of their rights to take action. No family should endure the ignorance we faced; every victim deserves support.”
Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Secretary David Lammy emphasized the importance of granting individuals more time to process their emotions and seek guidance after witnessing the sentencing of the perpetrator who caused them harm.
The adjustments will be implemented through revisions to the Victims and Courts Bill, which is currently under review in Parliament. This initiative focuses on the most severe criminal offenses, including murder, rape, and robbery.