'Olivia's Law' comes into force
It will make sure bereaved families can see their loved one's killer in court
A new law named after nine-year-old Olivia Pratt Korbel - to make sure bereaved families get the chance to face their loved one's killers in court - has officially been introduced.
Olivia was shot and killed on her own doorstep in Dovecot in 2022 - but her killer Thomas Cashman refused to come up from his cell during his sentencing to face her family.
That meant Olivia's mum Cheryl Korbel was denied the chance to read her victim impact statement directly to Cashman.
After his refusal to appear in court, a petition was set up to ask for a law requiring offenders to be forced to appear for sentencing hearings.
It was signed more than 39,000 times.
Olivia's Law forms part of the Victims and Courts Bill, which has now formally received Royal Assent.
It means criminals who don't attend their sentencing hearings will face 'stern sanctions'.
In a letter to Cheryl Korbel and Olivia's aunt Antonia Elverson, Alex Davies-Jones MP, Minister for Victims and Violence Against Women and Girls, said:
"I would like to take this opportunity to thank you sincerely for your tireless campaigning on this issue, and engagement with us throughout the Bill's passage through Parliament.
"Your views and insights have played an important role in informing the Government's approach and shaping the final legislation.
"With Royal Assent now secured, the Bill's parliamentary journey has concluded, and our focus turns to implementation. Officials in the Ministry of Justice will now concentrate on the next phase of work, and we remain committed to continuing our engagement with you as this work progresses, and we will share further updates in due course."
Speaking after the bill passed its final hurdle in parliament, Cheryl Korbel said:
"No other family is going to have to go through what we did.
"I understand not everybody is going to want to sit and face the perpetrator, but for those that do, they are given the opportunity now."