- Longer sentences for murders committed by partners or exes
- DPM pays tribute to courageous campaigners who fought for historic change
- Part of Government’s commitment to halve violence against women and girls
Heinous offenders who kill their partner, or ex, could face an additional 10 years in prison, under a change announced today by the Deputy Prime Minister.
Under the current law, most domestic murders have a 15-year sentencing starting point, because they take place in the home with a weapon most likely already at the scene. However, for other murders where a weapon is taken to the scene with intent, the starting point is 25 years.
The Government has announced today (30 June) it intends to close this 10-year gap so that domestic murders are dealt with the same severity as other murders – regardless of whether they happen at home or anywhere else.
Domestic murders are among the most devastating crimes and often represent a culmination of prolonged trauma and abuse.
Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Secretary, David Lammy said
For centuries, the law failed to protect women from violence at the hands of their partner – whether from marital rape or from abuse behind closed doors. Whilst we’ve made significant progress, we need to continue righting these wrongs.
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.
I pay tribute to Carole Gould, Julie Devey and Elaine Newborough whose courageous campaign will help future mothers, daughters and wives get the justice they deserve.
More than a fifth of all murders are domestic, and overwhelmingly women are the victims in these cases.
This change forms part of the Government’s commitment to halve Violence Against Women and Girls, and ensure swifter justice for victims and their families.
The change will also include important safeguards to further protect victims. This means in cases where a victim of domestic abuse kills their abuser, the existing 15-year baseline starting point will still apply.
This change was only made possible by this Government stabilising the prison system and introducing the Sentencing Act to ensure that the most dangerous offenders can always be put behind bars.
Further information
- This change to the law is subject to consultation with the Sentencing Council.
- This measure will be introduced as soon as possible.
- Further policy details, including the application to children who murder, will be outlined in due course.
- The new starting point will apply to future murders after the date of implementation and will not be applied retrospectively.
- This work is being conducted alongside the Law Commission’s review of homicide law and sentencing, to address the disparity as quickly as possible, ahead of the review’s conclusion in 2028.
