UK Proposes Whole-Life Sentences for "Horrific" Murders
The UK government is considering imposing mandatory whole-life imprisonment without the possibility of parole for the most "horrific" murderers.
This comes as per a report by The Guardian.
The Ministry of Justice has indicated that under this proposal, judges will be expected to hand down whole-life sentences for all "horrific" crimes, rather than only in exceptional circumstances, aiming to reduce the likelihood of sentence appeals.
Whole-life imprisonment is the strictest punishment within the British justice system, usually reserved for serial killers or those whose crimes involve aggravating factors, such as abusing their position to commit murder.
"By introducing mandatory whole-life sentences for offenders committing the most heinous types of murder, we ensure they will never be released," stated UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.
According to Justice Secretary Alex Chalk, whole-life imprisonment will now be applied to individuals who commit murders connected to sexual or sadistic behavior. "This significant legislative change ensures that the worst of the worst can now expect to spend the rest of their lives in prison," he added.
Downing Street revealed that their proposed initiative could have been applicable in two recent murder cases: lawyer Zara Alina Jordan-Maxwell received a 38-year prison term for rape and murder, and the killer of teacher Sabina Nessa, Kochi Selamadji, received 36 years. After serving their sentences, they could be released.
As reported by The Gaze, a Manchester court sentenced nurse Lucy Letby to life imprisonment for "sadistic murders" of seven newborns and attempted murders of six other infants. She will not be eligible for pardon or early release.
Letby has been labeled the "most horrific" child serial killer in all of the UK.
According to the investigation, the woman employed sadistic methods for killing newborns. During her shifts, she injected air into the infants' bloodstream using a syringe, overfed them, introduced air into their stomachs via a tube, and administered insulin not prescribed by doctors.
Additionally, the probe revealed that Lucy Letby kept hundreds of medical documents detailing events related to the crimes.
Justice Secretary Alex Chalk stated that the offender's actions highlight the necessity to change the law so that the "worst offenders are present in court to face justice when sentences are passed."