UK grants judges tougher powers for criminals skipping sentencing

The UK government is backing new judicial powers to impose tougher punishments on criminals who refuse to attend their sentencing hearings, following advocacy from the family of murder victim Zara Aleena. The measure aims to shift procedural leverage from offenders to victims, though its practical impact on sentencing outcomes remains uncertain. This marks a notable policy shift in the UK criminal justice system, responding to high-profile cases where offenders have avoided facing victims in court.

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