Rob Rinder demands law change after Lucy Letby refused to attend sentencing
Rob Rinder has demanded a law change after Lucy Letby refused to attend her sentencing hearing.
The former nurse was found guilty of the murder of seven babies, and the attempted murder of six more, and did not leave her cell on Monday for her sentencing hearing at Manchester Crown Court. The 33-year-old killer was given a whole life sentence, meaning she’ll never be eligible for parole and was not in court to listen to the heartbreaking statements from the families of the murdered babies.
Rob, who is a former barrister, has now called for a change to the law after Letby was allowed to miss out on her sentencing, and said she should have been in court to listen to the “unbearable pain of her victims”. The 45-year-old tweeted: “Families of children murdered by Lucy Letby gave impact statements today. They could not direct them at the nurse who killed their babies b/c Letby was allowed to stay away & not hear the unbearable pain of her victims. Her absence was lawful. It’s time to change that law. Now.”
Lucy Letby was given a whole life sentence on Monday (PA)
Former barrister Rob has weighed in on the row over her absence from court (Getty Images for Orion Books)He said the absence of a law forcing people to attend their sentencing was “deeply unhelpful”, and joined many others who have voiced their disappointment at Letby’s absence. “There were no practical impediments whatsoever to Letby being in court or appearing by video link (if practically necessary) to hear the voices of the families,” he continued.
“I get the problem(s) of bringing an unwilling person to court. But the absence of a law compelling them is deeply unhelpful. Most clients listen to counsel. Few would refuse once told they were legally required to attend unless correctly advised that it is lawful not to,” Rob added. And his followers were quick to agree with his argument, praising the Judge Rinder star for his stance. “Couldn’t agree more! I don’t understand why she even had that choice!” one replied.
Robert Rinder makes urgent hospital dash hours after Good Morning Britain
Letby will never leave prison after being given 14 life sentences (Chester Standard / SWNS.com)“Totally agree , a change in the law is needed, those poor families robbed of their beautiful babies by a nurse they trusted, Letby should of been in court to hear them,” another added. “Absolutely it’s so wrong that people found guilty can make that choice!”, one fumed. Rob wasn’t the only one who called for a change in the law, as many government ministers have backed a proposed amendment that ensures serious offenders can be forced to attend court.
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer, a former director of public prosecutions, accused the Government of “dragging its heels” over making the change, and Prime Minister Rishi Sunak called her “cowardly”. Letby isn’t the only one who refused to attend her sentencing hearing - Thomas Cashman, the killer of nine-year-old Olivia Pratt-Korbel, also missed his sentencing, as well as Jordan McSweeney, who brutally murdered Zara Aleena.
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