Mandatory life sentences for those who kill emergency workers are among criminal justice reforms designed to “make our streets safer” coming into force today.
The changes also toughen sentences for those guilty of pre-meditated child murder.
In such cases a whole-life tariff – where offenders are told they will never be released – will be the starting point when judges consider sentences.
In addition, the Ministry of Justice said, it is ending the automatic early release of offenders deemed to be a danger to the public.
There are also measures to protect women and girls, with a new offence of taking non-consensual photographs or videos of breastfeeding women punishable by up to two years in prison.
Meanwhile, the time limit for prosecutions of domestic abuse related common assault and battery charges will be altered from six months from the date of the offence to six months from the date it is reported to the police – up to a maximum of two years from the…
