tougher sentences for murderers who kill at end of a relationship take effect

Judges now have the power to impose longer jail terms for two new statutory aggravating factors – murders that involve strangulation or those that can be linked to the end of a relationship (Picture: Getty Images)

Abusers who murder their partners now face longer jail terms after new sentencing measures were brought in.

Judges now have the power to impose longer sentences for two new statutory aggravating factors – murders that involve strangulation or those that can be linked to the end of a relationship.

Campaigners have welcomed the new measures – announced in December and taking effect this week – but urged lawmakers to go further and close the gap between punishments for killings inside and outside the home.

Alex Davies-Jones,minister for victims and tackling violence against women and girls told Metro: ‘Murder at the end of a relationship is often the final act of cruelty by an abusive partner.  

‘Now the law has changed. Judges must consider longer prison terms for murders involving strangulation or those connected to the end of a relationship.

‘I want to thank every brave campaigner who passionately fought for change.

‘As part of our Plan for Change,this Government is determined to halve violence against women and girls in the next decade,and we will ensure the worst offenders are locked up for longer.’

In a joint statement,Julie Devey,Carole Gould and Elaine Newborough of Killed Women said: ‘After six years of campaigning for more just sentences to be given to murderers we are pleased that these two aggravating factors now have to be applied by the judge.

‘What we now need to see is these aggravating factors actually carrying weight.

‘We have seen no increase in the minimum terms given even after other aggravating factors were added last year.

‘If aggravating factors are to mean anything then the judge needs to respond by adding years rather than weeks or nothing. 

The changes for England and Wales follows an independent review into domestic homicide sentencing by barrister Clare Wade KC.

The Law Commission is also reviewing the overall sentencing framework for murder and the law of homicide.

This comes in response to issues raised by campaigners,including how diminished responsibility is considered and whether current sentencing rules properly reflect the seriousness of domestic murders.

The Ministry of Justice said around 85 people,mainly women,are killed by their current or ex-partner each year,mostly in the home.

Ms Wade’s review of murder cases found 30% involved strangulation and 40% happened at the end,or perceived end,of a relationship – all involving female victims and male killers.

Harriet Wistrich,CEO of Centre for Women’s Justice: ‘These changes are coming in on the back of Clare Wade’s recommendations for the homicide sentencing review she undertook under the previous government.

‘They recognise the gravity of male violence towards women and how many killings in relationships characterised by coercive controlling behaviour take place at the point the victim is trying to leave,and also how strangulation is used as a mechanism of control,it is a very intimate and controlled form of violence.

‘We welcome the recommendations.’

Metro’s year-long This Is Not Right campaign highlights the growing crisis of violence against women and girls.