Killers of police and prison officers face life in prison

Judges have been handed the power to indefinitely jail those who kill a police officer on duty.

Changes announced last week by Justice Secretary Chris Grayling enable courts to consider a whole-life term when deciding the sentence for killing either a police or prison officer in the course of their duty.

Mr Grayling said: “Police officers play a vital role in keeping communities safe. As has been tragically demonstrated in recent years, this role is a dangerous one that can lead to officers paying the ultimate price while serving their community.

“It is essential that police and prison officers feel the full weight of the state is behind them as they fulfil their crucial duties. Changing the starting point for this offence sends a clear message that the Government supports the work that these vital public servants play.”

The change is a shift from the current starting point of a 30-year minimum term. However, judges would retain the discretion to determine the appropriate sentence in each case and a whole-life term will not be mandatory.

Dale Cregan was the last person convicted and jailed for life in June 2013 for killing a police officer with the murders of PCs Fiona Bone and Nicola Hughes who were attending the scene of a suspected burglary in Mottram, Greater Manchester, in September 2012.

The Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW) welcomed the changes.

Chair Steve Williams said: “Every day, police officers put their lives on the line to protect society from criminals and they play a fundamental role in ensuring that people are kept safe.

“It is absolutely right that, in return, they are afforded the maximum protection the law allows. We have been calling for this for a long time and are pleased that the Government is to make this vital change.”

The change is being introduced in an amendment to the Criminal Justice and Courts Bill, which includes a wide range of tougher sentencing measures, including plans to:

•Make criminals contribute towards the costs of running the courts system by imposing a new charge at the point of conviction;

•Introduce a new offence punishable by up to two years in prison for criminals who go on the run while serving the non-custodial element of their sentence;

•End the automatic halfway point release for criminals convicted of rape or attempted rape of a child, or serious terrorism offences, and no longer automatically releasing offenders who receive the tough extended determinate sentence (EDS) two-thirds of the way through their custodial term; and

•Stop criminals receiving cautions for serious offences, while for less serious offences stop them receiving a second caution for the same, or similar, offence committed in a two-year period.

Calls in Scotland for new domestic abuse offence

Creating a specific offence of domestic abuse could help ensure Scotland’s criminal law remains “fit for purpose”, according to the Solicitor General.

Addressing delegates at the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service’s (COPFS) domestic abuse conference last week, Lesley Thomson QC said Scotland needs to consider developing a modern approach that takes account of the emotional and physical damage caused to victims.

She said: “Creating a specific offence of domestic abuse is one way in which we could ensure that our criminal law is and remains fit for purpose. It would help victims by acknowledging the true impact and consequences of all types of abusive behaviours, including non-violent tactics of control and abuse, and would solidify Scotland’s position as a leader in the field of tackling violence against women.”

Ms Thomson praised the country’s efforts in dealing with the abuse in recent years, as well as creating a cultural shift in the way it is viewed. The Scottish government has already introduced measures to improve the handling of domestic abuse cases including specialist courts and closing a loophole to allow prosecution for threatening or abusive behaviour.

However, Ms Thompson said domestic abuse has a corrosive effect on v