Lead

The UK government has announced plans to increase the minimum sentence for domestic murder from 15 to 25 years in England and Wales, a change that follows a seven-year campaign by mothers of murdered women. Justice Secretary David Lammy announced the proposed increase on Monday, saying it would ‘close a long overdue gap’ and ensure that those who murder their partner face sentences that ‘better reflect the devastating harm they cause’.

The change means offenders who kill their current or ex-partner would face an extra decade behind bars. Under current law, most domestic murders have a 15-year sentencing starting point because they take place in the home with a weapon most likely already at the scene. Where a weapon is taken to the scene with intent, the starting point for murders is already 25 years.

The announcement comes after mothers of victims, including Carole Gould, Julie Devey, and Elaine Newborough, campaigned for years to change the minimum sentence. In a statement issued by the charity Killed Women on behalf of the three mothers, they thanked Lammy, saying: ‘At last, women’s lives are being valued as highly as men’s. Since around 70% of victims of homicide in the home are women, it has long been unjust that those who murder them routinely receive substantially lighter sentences simply because the murder weapon, such as a kitchen knife, was already there, rather than brought to the scene.’

Coverage comparison

The Guardian’s coverage of the story focuses on both the policy announcement and the personal stories behind the campaign. One report details the official announcement and the statements from Lammy and the mothers, while a second piece tells the story of the meeting between the mothers and Lammy in his ministerial office, where they presented him with photographs of their daughters and urged him to change the law.

Both reports draw on the same set of facts: the new 25-year minimum, the current 15-year starting point, the seven-year campaign, and the involvement of the three mothers. The first report is largely official and informative in tone, quoting Lammy and the mothers’ statement. The second is more personal and emotional, describing the mothers’ reactions and the justice secretary’s response to their appeal.

The two reports are broadly consistent, though the second places greater emphasis on the personal and emotional dimensions of the campaign, including the mothers’ frustration after years of what they said was ineffective change and their direct appeal to Lammy: ‘Imagine this was your daughter.’

Key Claims

  • New minimum sentence: Offenders who kill their current or ex-partner could face a new minimum sentence of 25 years in England and Wales, an increase of 10 years from the current 15-year starting point for most domestic murders.
  • Campaign by mothers: The change follows a seven-year campaign by mothers of victims, including Carole Gould, Julie Devey, and Elaine Newborough, whose daughters were murdered by partners or ex-partners.
  • Government announcement: The plans were announced by Justice Secretary David Lammy on Monday, who said the change closes a ‘long overdue gap’ and better reflects the harm caused.
  • Welcome and criticism: Refuge and the domestic abuse commissioner welcomed the increase in sentencing. However, the domestic abuse commissioner expressed disappointment that the sentencing increase will not apply when a victim is killed by a family member.
  • Consultation: The increase in sentencing is subject to consultation with the sentencing council.

Perspectives

Government and justice secretary: Justice Secretary David Lammy described the current law as having failed for centuries to protect women from partner violence, citing issues from marital rape to abuse behind closed doors. He said the change is part of continuing efforts to right historical wrongs and will ensure sentences better reflect the harm caused. He paid tribute to the mothers’ campaign.

Campaigning mothers: Carole Gould, Julie Devey, and Elaine Newborough, whose daughters were killed by partners or ex-partners, campaigned for seven years for the change. In a statement through the charity Killed Women, they welcomed the announcement, saying women’s lives are finally being valued as highly as men’s. They highlighted that around 70% of homicide victims in the home are women, and that lighter sentences for domestic murders because of the weapon’s location were unjust.

Domestic abuse commissioner: The domestic abuse commissioner welcomed the sentencing increase but expressed disappointment that it will not apply when a victim is killed by a family member, indicating a perceived gap in the policy’s scope.