The grandmother of a man who was murdered has lambasted Labour's plans for sentencing "sanctions" on those who refuse to face court for sentencing - branding the move a "waste of time".
Julie Taylor, whose grandson Leon Taylor was killed in a brutal attack outside a pub in Writtle in Essex in 2020, has condemned the new legislation, which will reduce "privileges" for prisoners.
Judges will be given the power to impose solitary confinement on offenders who fail to attend - as well as having televisions removed from their cells or being denied extra gym sessions, but only for up to six weeks.
The legislation follows a series of refusals by perpetrators to appear in the dock to face justice, including Southport killer Axel Rudakubana and Thomas Cashman, the killer of Olivia Pratt-Korbel.
Keir Starmer has been slammed by Julie Taylor for his 'joke' sentencing sanctions on criminals
PA / GB News
Criticising the legislation on GB News, Taylor told host Martin Daubney that the sanctions are "not a deterrent", and criminals will "laugh" at the idea of reduced gym time as a punishment for not attending court.
Taylor fumed: "They should be dragged up there, put handcuffs on and pull them up the stairs, because they have to at least acknowledge what they've done, whether they like it or not.
"They don't want to face the the victims families, of course they don't, but they should have thought about that before they did these horrendous, hideous crimes."
Tearing into the policy, Taylor added: "They'd find it hilarious. I'm laughing at it, it is a joke. If you've got 20 years in there, you're not going to worry about six weeks of no telly or no gym for three weeks.
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Southport killer Axel Rudakubana is one of many perpetrators who did not face justice in court
Merseyside Police
"If you've got murder in there, then perhaps we need to start something like life for life, 20 years plus. Let's put these extra sentences on and make them think, oh, actually, I don't want to have that sentence, I'm not going to do this now. There's not any deterrent, it's not enough."
When asked by Martin if she believes those facing a life sentence will be affected by "a few more years" on top of their sentence, Taylor stated: "It will make absolutely no difference at all.
"They'll laugh, this will not affect anybody. I don't think anybody will be worried about this, it's just a waste of time."
Noting the increasingly concerning crime rates in Britain, Taylor claimed that there is a "mindset" that if they "get caught, they get caught", which "has to stop".
Taylor told GB News that crime rates in Britain are 'getting worse'
GB News
Taylor said: "There's a mindset out there and a few people that think 'I do what I want and if I get caught, I get caught'. That seems to be the minority mindset. And it's really sad.
"And that's why we've got to educate these children as young as we can - seven, eight years old. Talk to them, warn them of the dangers - it's not just somebody's life you take, it's your life that's messed up, it's your families. And make them realise that it has to stop.
"Because, like I said, five and a half years later and it's got worse, it hasn't got any better."
Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood said: "This bill will deliver long overdue reforms to ensure victims see justice done and are given the vital support they need as they rebuild their lives."
A Ministry of Justice spokesman said the Bill's measures meant "cowardly" offenders who "attempt to evade justice" could be subject to "tough sanctions".
