Defendant’s Absence Highlights Victim’s Family Pain

The defendant, who opted not to be present for the court’s ruling, is causing “final humiliation to the victim and her family,” as stated by Attorney General Shabana Mahmoud. This remark followed the reading of an impact statement from the mother of the murdered girl, which was shared by lawmakers.

During a second reading of the bill concerning victims and the court, Labour MP Anneliese Midgley read a statement on behalf of Sheryl Colbel, mother of nine-year-old Olivia Pratt Colbel, who was tragically shot in her Liverpool home back in 2022.

Her killer, Thomas Cashman, declined to attend the sentencing. “These are the words Thomas Cashman chose not to hear,” Midgley remarked. “They should have resonated with him that day.”

In her statement, which was read aloud in the Commons while Colbel listened from the public gallery, she recounted the moment she found out Olivia had been shot.

Cashman was responsible for Olivia’s death while he was chasing a drug dealer who had sought refuge in his home in Nottiash, Liverpool. Interestingly, he didn’t show up in court for his life sentence in April 2023.

Corbel expressed the heartache of losing her daughter in those last moments, saying, “I was the first person to hold my baby girl.”

A proposed piece of legislation, dubbed Olivia’s Law, aims to empower judges to impose sentences of up to two years on offenders who refuse to attend their sentencing. Additionally, it allows courts to revoke various privileges for inmates, such as visiting rights and access to recreational areas.

Mahmoud conveyed the seriousness of the situation, stating, “When a guilty defendant does not bother to hear the impact of their crime, it adds a profound layer of humiliation for the victim’s family.”

Colbel shared her daily struggle without her child, remarking that “it’s incredibly lonely without her. Everything feels eerily quiet… I just can’t cope with silence. I’m still thinking about school pickups.”

Midgley lauded Corbel’s dedication to pushing for change, pointing out, “There’s nothing that can bring Olivia back. But instead of being crushed by this burden, Sheryl has fought back… Olivia’s law represents her fight. It’s Olivia’s legacy, as well as Sheryl’s.”

Keir Starmer has committed to pursuing the legal adjustments after his conversation with Korbel. This bill is expected to gain significant support in the upcoming weeks.

Mahmood asserted that this legislation “marks a crucial step in our effort to restore the judicial system and will assist victims who have often been overlooked in recent times.”

Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick emphasized that the government ought to “implement the most significant and serious reforms to rectify a criminal justice system that currently favors the criminals over the victims.”