Dominic Raab will fight criminals who launch ‘spurious’ legal claims to try to get out of jail time

DOMINIC Raab will fight criminals who launch “spurious” legal claims to try to get out of jail time — as he faces a race against time to stop Levi Bellfield getting wed.

The Justice Secretary is introducing a ministerial block on releasing murderers, rapists and terrorists.



Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Secretary Dominic Raab leaving 10 Downing Street, London, after a Cabinet meeting. Picture date: Tuesday March 28, 2023. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Yui Mok/PA Wire
Dominic Raab will fight criminals who launch “spurious” legal claims to try to get out of jail time — as he faces a race against time to stop Levi Bellfield getting wed

Undated handout file photo issued by Metropolitan Police of serial killer Levi Bellfield. Milly Dowler’s killer has admitted to the murders of Lin Russell and her daughter Megan, a lawyer has said. Issue date: Sunday February 6, 2022. PA Photo. Michael Stone is currently serving three life sentences for the murders of Ms Russell and her six-year-old daughter, who were found bludgeoned to death in Chillenden, Kent, in July 1996. Stone’s solicitor said he has received a “genuine” four-page statement from Bellfield in which he details his involvement in the killings, which would mean his client had suffered a miscarriage of justice. See PA story LEGAL Bellfield . Photo credit should read: Metropolitan Police/PA Wire NOTE TO EDITORS: This handout photo may only be used in for editorial reporting purposes for the contemporaneous illustration of events, things or the people in the image or facts mentioned in the caption. Reuse of the picture may require further permission from the copyright holder.
Triple killer Bellfield is understood to have launched legal action after not being given a license to wed at HMP Frankland, Co Durham

He wants to take Parole Board decision-making in a “different direction” — putting public protection at the heart of the new legislation.

It comes amid the expectation criminals may bring challenges under UK law and the European Convention on Human Rights.

Mr Raab said: “If an individual poses a risk to the public, they shouldn’t be released.

“We shouldn’t allow the risk of spurious litigation to stop us.

“If it’s a fixed-term sentence then we can only manage parole decisions until the end of the licence.

“If it’s an indeterminate sentence, it will be until they can satisfy the Parole Board and ultimately the Secretary of State that they no longer represent risk to the public.”

The new law would stop whole-life lags from marrying in jail to protect the partners from manipulation.

Triple killer Bellfield, 54, is understood to have launched legal action after not being given a licence to wed at HMP Frankland, Co Durham.

The Parole Board said: “We always welcome reform that supports the rights of victims.

“Public protection is at the heart of our decision-making, which is based on the evidence and the law.”


Did you miss our previous article...
https://trendinginthenews.com/uk-politics/rishi-sunak-slams-teaching-unions-threatening-to-disrupt-exams-this-summer-after-rejecting-insulting-pay-offer