Murderers who kill their partner or ex-partner at home could face an extra decade in prison after the government announced it is closing a legal loophole that has led to more lenient sentences. Justice Secretary David Lammy confirmed the change, which raises the starting point for sentencing from 15 years to 25 years for domestic murders committed in the home.
Loophole closed after years of campaigning
Currently, sentencing guidelines for murder depend on whether a weapon was brought to the scene, which demonstrates intent. However, in most domestic murders, the weapon is already at the scene, such as a kitchen knife. This has meant domestic killers typically receive a 15-year starting point compared to 25 years in other circumstances.
Campaigners Julie Devey, Carole Gould, and Elaine Newborough, co-founders of the group Killed Women, have spent seven years calling for the change. Julie's daughter Poppy Devey Waterhouse, 24, was killed by her ex-boyfriend Joe Atkinson in 2018; he was sentenced to life with a minimum of 15 years and 310 days. Carole's daughter Ellie Gould, 17, was stabbed to death by Thomas Griffiths, also 17, after she ended the relationship; he received a minimum of 12 years and six months. Elaine's daughter Megan Newborough, 23, was killed by her boyfriend Ross McCullam, who was jailed for at least 23 years in December 2022.
Government responds to campaign
In a statement, the three women thanked Lammy for bringing in the change, saying it 'finally aligns the starting point for murders committed in the home with those committed in the street'. They added: 'Anyone who can murder someone they once loved — often the mother of their children — using such extreme violence is clearly a serious threat, not only to other women but to the public.'
Lammy paid tribute to the campaigners, saying their 'courageous campaign will help future mothers, daughters and wives get the justice they deserve'. He added: 'This change closes a long overdue gap and will ensure those who murder their partner face sentences that better reflect the devastating harm they cause.'
Impact on sentencing
According to the Ministry of Justice, more than a fifth of all murders are domestic, and women are overwhelmingly the victims in these cases. The change is expected to affect future sentencing, with domestic murderers facing starting points of 25 years instead of 15. The campaigners previously successfully campaigned to have aggravating factors added to sentencing law, including coercive and controlling behaviour prior to the death.
