Killers who refuse to appear in court for sentencing will face additional punishment under new measures—but the penalties will last only a matter of weeks.
Labour is introducing measures first announced last year that will give judges the power to impose further sanctions on convicted offenders who refuse to enter the dock.
The Ministry of Justice has described the changes as “tough new prison punishments”. However, the maximum penalties will range from 10 days to 12 weeks.
Judges will be able to order offenders to remain confined to their cells in solitary conditions for up to three weeks.
Prison privileges, including access to the gym or a television in an inmate’s cell, could also be withdrawn for as long as 12 weeks.
Offenders could additionally be barred from social visits for 27 days. The restriction will not apply to children visiting a parent in prison.
As an alternative, judges could limit prison visits to once every four weeks for a period of up to 12 weeks.
The legislation will also allow judges to impose shorter penalties than the maximum periods specified.
Young offenders aged between 18 and 20 who are held in young offender institutions will face reduced sanctions, including up to 10 days confined to their cells and the loss of privileges for 21 days.
Artist’s impression of Southport killer Axel Rudakubana appearing in court last month in separate proceedings
Southport attack victims, from left to right: Bebe King, Elsie Dot Stancombe and Alice da Silva Aguiar
Sexual predator Jordan McSweeney, then 29, murdered Zara Aleena in Ilford, east London, in June 2022 and refused to attend court for sentencing
The powers contained in the Victims and Courts Act were published in detail on Thursday and are due to come into force next year. They follow several high-profile cases in which murderers and other serious offenders refused to leave their cells to hear the sentences imposed on them.
In January last year, Southport killer Axel Rudakubana refused to enter the dock as he was sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court.
He received a minimum term of 52 years for the “sadistic” murders of Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, Bebe King, six, and Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, in 2024.
Rudakubana was transferred from prison to Broadmoor high-security psychiatric hospital in July this year.
Jordan McSweeney, who murdered aspiring lawyer Zara Aleena, 35, in east London in 2022, also refused to attend his sentencing hearing. He was initially given a minimum tariff of 38 years, later reduced to 33 years by the Court of Appeal.
Drug dealer Thomas Cashman likewise refused to appear after murdering nine-year-old Olivia Pratt-Korbel, who was caught in crossfire inside her Liverpool home in 2022. Cashman was given a minimum tariff of 42 years.
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The Government has already amended the law so that offenders who refuse to attend sentencing can be fined or jailed for up to two additional years for contempt of court.
However, for murderers already facing decades in prison, the prospect of extra jail time provides little deterrent.
Aspiring lawyer Zara Aleena was murdered in Ilford, east London, in June 2022
Thomas Cashman murdered nine-year-old Olivia Pratt-Korbel as he chased a drug dealer who had tried to run into her home in Knotty Ash, Liverpool, in August 2022
Cashman refused to come into the court to be sentenced for the murder of Olivia Pratt-Korbel, pictured
The new powers aim to make their initial weeks in jail after conviction less comfortable if they refuse to attend their sentencing.
Prisons minister Catherine McKinnell said: ‘Criminals should not be able to pick and choose when they face justice.
‘Refusing to turn up to sentencing is an insult to victims and their families, and offenders must face the consequences.
‘We committed to change this and we’ve already strengthened the law so offenders can be ordered into court.
‘Now we’re going further, giving judges tougher punishments for those who still refuse – from being confined to their cells for weeks to losing prison privileges and visits.’
Victims’ Commissioner for England and Wales, Claire Waxman, said: ‘Today’s announcement reflects the tireless efforts of victims’ families who refused to accept that offenders could simply opt out of facing justice.
‘I know how offenders’ refusal to attend sentencing hearings compounds trauma and robs families of one of the very few moments of accountability in the justice process.
‘It is now essential that these powers are used consistently by courts and prisons, so families receive the justice and accountability they deserve.’
The measures will also apply to offenders whose disruptive behaviour results in their removal from the courtroom.
Farah Naz, Miss Aleena’s aunt, has previously urged ministers to allow sentencing hearings to be broadcast in a criminal’s prison cell if they refuse to leave, and for CCTV to be installed so families can watch the offender’s reaction to their sentence.
Shadow Justice Secretary Nick Timothy said: ‘These reforms are welcome, but questions remain over whether the Government could have gone much further.
‘Every victim deserves justice, and the Government must ensure those who refuse to face their victims’ families at sentencing receive the toughest possible punishment.’
The previous Conservative government published a Bill in 2024 which would have introduced similar powers but it was abandoned due to the General Election being called.