Justice Secretary Dominic Raab is looking to fast-track a new law to punish criminals for refusing to appear in the dock for sentencing.
The pressure comes after Thomas Cashman stayed in his prison cell as he was sent down for 42 years for murdering nine-year-old Olivia-Pratt-Korbel.
Cashman, 34, told his lawyer the trial was “turning into a circus”.
He said he heard prosecutors singing “We are the Champions” after his conviction.
Former Home Secretary Priti Patel said it was a “stain on British justice.”
She demanded Mr Raab use the victims’ bill currently before Parliament to give judges powers to impose longer jail terms on criminals.
She said not appearing in court compounded the grief of families.
A Ministry of Justice source told The Telegraph:
“Mr Raab is committed to changing the law so that offenders are forced to face the consequences of their actions.”
“Olivia Pratt-Korbel and her family weren’t able to hide from Thomas Cashman’s crime – so he shouldn’t be able to hide from justice.”
The Justice Secretary is said to want to introduce a new law “when parliamentary time allows”.
It’s said he is resisting calls to include it in the victims’ and prisoners’ bill because changes to sentencing laws are “outside the bill’s scope”.
