Raab urged to fast-track plans to force criminals to attend sentencing

Aunt of murdered lawyer Zara Aleena says criminals should receive longer sentences if they refuse to face families or victims

Dominic Raab has been urged to fast-track plans to force criminals to attend their sentencing after the murderer of nine-year-old Olivia Pratt-Korbel refused to leave his cell to be sentenced on Monday.

The aunt of Zara Aleena, who was murdered while walking home in June 2022, said allowing convicted criminals to avoid facing the court meant the “convict actually exercises their bit of power”.