The government is closing a legal loophole that has meant murderers who kill their partner or ex-partner at home face significantly shorter prison sentences, in a move campaigners have called 'long overdue'. Under current sentencing guidelines, the starting point for a murder sentence depends on whether a weapon was brought to the scene, which demonstrates intent. However, in most domestic murders, the weapon is already at the scene—such as a kitchen knife—resulting in a typical starting point of 15 years compared to 25 years for other murders.
Campaigners Celebrate Victory After Seven-Year Fight
The change follows a seven-year campaign by Julie Devey, Carole Gould and Elaine Newborough, co-founders of the group Killed Women. Julie’s daughter Poppy Devey Waterhouse, 24, was killed by her ex-boyfriend Joe Atkinson in 2018; he was sentenced to life with a minimum of 15 years and 310 days. Carole’s daughter Ellie Gould, 17, was stabbed to death by Thomas Griffiths, also 17, after ending their relationship; he received life with a minimum of 12 years and six months. Elaine’s daughter Megan Newborough, 23, was killed by her boyfriend Ross McCullam in Leicestershire; he was jailed for at least 23 years in December 2022.
In a statement, the three women thanked Justice Secretary David Lammy for bringing in the change, saying it 'finally aligns the starting point for murders committed in the home with those committed in the street'. They added: 'We have been campaigning relentlessly on this issue for seven years to persuade the State just how dangerous these men are. We have lost our daughters – Poppy, Ellie and Megan – to such men. Anyone who can murder someone they once loved — often the mother of their children — using such extreme violence is clearly a serious threat, not only to other women but to the public.'
Government Responds to 'Long Overdue Gap'
Justice Secretary David Lammy paid tribute to the campaigners, saying their 'courageous campaign will help future mothers, daughters and wives get the justice they deserve'. He added: 'This change closes a long overdue gap and will ensure those who murder their partner face sentences that better reflect the devastating harm they cause.' According to the Ministry of Justice, more than a fifth of all murders are domestic, and women are overwhelmingly the victims in these cases.
The campaigners previously succeeded in having aggravating factors added to sentencing law, including coercive and controlling behaviour prior to the death. The new change is expected to add up to a decade to the minimum terms served by domestic murderers.
