On Sunday 13th September it emerged that in a pivotal transformation of the justice reforms teenagers who are found guilty of murder can now be sentenced with full life-term in light of the Manchester bombing attack in 2017. These reforms are introduced in a white paper by Justice Secretary Robert Buckland after then 20-year-old Hashem Abedi, was found guilty of murdering 22 people in the 2017 Manchester terror attack but was prevented from being sentenced for life owing to his young age.
Now, the government is considering to unveil plans of lowering the age at which murderers can receive life in jail without parole from 21 to 18 with reports that these can turn into a law early next year. According to prime minister, Boris Johnson, these proposals also include plans to prevent criminals who become radicalised in prison from being eligible for early release.
The judge at Abedi’s trial, Mr Justice Jeremy Baker, said that while the prosecution favoured a whole-life order he was precluded from passing it, so instead jailed him for 55 years. It will also include harsher sentences for attacks on emergency workers and introduce measures allowing the British public to be able to see sentencing by judges in courts live on television in a bid to make the process more accountable. Sentences for sex attacks would also be increased.
