Today’s news summary – Paper Talk
Thursday’s front pages report on new laws to force offenders to appear in court for sentencing.
‘Spineless killers’
The Daily Mail says “At last” along with photos of killers who refused to attend their hearings – including Lucy Letby and Thomas Cashman. The paper says the legislation will “finally” see “cowardly” and “spineless criminals who refuse to hear their fate in court… dragged into the dock”.
The Daily Express says the change will compel “spineless criminals” to face their victims’ families in court. The Daily Mirror calls it a “victory,” and notes the change follows a campaign run by Cheryl Korbel, the mother of murdered nine-year-old Olivia. “I hope she’s proud of what we’ve done,” Korbel tells the paper.
Whilst the Metro says “We’ll see you in court, cowards.” The paper says the new law will allow custody officers to use “reasonable force” to get criminals into the dock. The move follows fresh uproar after Letby stayed in her cell last week while a judge sentenced her to life in prison for murdering seven babies and attempting to kill six more.
‘Rogue cops’
The Times reports on new powers to sack rogue police officers on the spot under “zero tolerance” reforms of the disciplinary process. Policing Minister Chris Philp speaks to the paper saying the measures will help restore public confidence in the police. The paper says the changes “represent a victory” for Sir Mark Rowley, who pledged to overhaul standards when he took over as commissioner of the Met force last year.