Olivia’s Law has passed Royal Assent and is now law.
The new Victims and Courts Act will force criminals to attend the dock for their sentencing hearing.
The campaign was spearheaded by Cheryl Korbel, the mother of nine-year-old Olivia Pratt-Korbel, who was shot dead in Dovecot in August 2022.
Jo Rimmer, whose son was shot on the streets of Dingle the same week as Ashley Dale and Olivia Pratt-Korbel in 2022, has spoken about the impact the law will have on families.
Jo said: “What Cheryl has achieved is absolutely brilliant and I am so proud of them all. I know how tirelessly Cheryl, Antonia, friends and family have fought to make this happen.”
Sam Rimmer was 22 at the time of his murder, and there have been no charges in connection with it. The police have made 10 arrests, with some suspects serving prison sentences for unrelated crimes.
Jo Rimmer continued: “For me personally, this is huge, as I now know that Sam’s murderers will have to be in court for sentencing or face a penalty. Olivia’s law will make a difference for families, and little Olivia will never be forgotten.”
Olivia’s mum, Cheryl Korbel, began the campaign after Thomas Cashman, Olivia’s killer, refused to leave his cell to hear his sentencing. In 2023, he was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum of 42 years.
Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Secretary David Lammy said: “ For too long, too many victims have been left to navigate a justice system where they often felt like an afterthought.”
He added: “Today, that changes. It is an Act for survivors, for bereaved families and for everyone who has fought to be heard.”
Now, criminals who don’t attend sentencing could face additional time in prison or other sanctions, such as not receiving family visits.
Olivia’s Butterfly Foundation, set up to petition for the change in law, shared to their Facebook page: “Olivia’s Law will ensure that no other families are stripped of their opportunities to begin their journey of justice and closure, the justice system will see victims and their families and their needs put first before the desires of criminals.”
Royal assent is the last stage of passing a bill through the UK parliament before it becomes law.
The law will also allow victims to have more time to challenge sentences if they do not feel it is adequate for the crime.
Olivia’s Butterfly Foundation statement continued: “It’s hard to believe that WE DID THIS! To achieve something so huge that you can’t physically see is truly unexplainable, but know this – we are so proud that Olivia’s name will be making a difference for years and years to come, and I know that whichever silver-lined cloud she is perched on tonight, she will be looking down on us all, beaming with pride. (And probably telling everyone how famous she is).”
