“Should we force convicted criminals to attend court for sentencing?”

Simon Spence KC was interviewed by BBC Radio Suffolk in reaction to nurse Lucy Letby’s refusal to attend her sentence hearing and hear victim impact statements which took place on the 21st August at Manchester Crown Court.

Lucy Letby became the fourth woman in history to receive a whole life sentence for the murders of seven newborns and attempting to kill another six.

Presenter Wayne Bavin asked the question “Should we force convicted criminals to attend court for sentencing?” Simon Spence KC explained the risks and issues around restraining and compelling a person to attend their sentence hearing especially if it leads to a disruption of the process.

Listen from 21:26: [BBC Sounds]

Simon Spence KC prosecutes and defends in murder and manslaughter cases across East Anglia and London. Read more: [Simon Spence KC Profile]