Key facts
- Grieving mothers successfully campaigned for increased prison sentences for those who murder current or ex-partners.
- Justice Secretary David Lammy pledged to raise the maximum sentence for such murders.
- The campaign was spearheaded by Carole Gould, Julie Devey, and Elaine Newborough, whose daughters were killed by partners.
- The new measure will add approximately 10 years to the sentences of convicted domestic abusers.
- Campaigners highlighted that the sentencing increase does not extend to killings by other family members.
Grieving mothers have successfully campaigned for tougher sentencing for murderers who kill their current or ex-partners, leading to an announcement by Justice Secretary David Lammy that such offenders will face an additional 10 years in prison. The campaign, spearheaded by Carole Gould, Julie Devey, and Elaine Newborough, highlighted the disparity in sentencing for domestic murders compared to other homicides.
Lammy was reportedly moved by the mothers' personal accounts and the photographs of their daughters, Ellie Gould, Poppy Devey Waterhouse, and Megan Newborough, who were all killed by their partners. Gould directly appealed to Lammy, asking him to "level up sentencing all to 25 years," a request he agreed to, stunning the mothers present.
Devey and Gould had been campaigning for years, forming the organization Killed Women with other families. They collaborated with The Guardian on various campaigns, including 'You were told,' 'Fallen Women,' and 'Invisible Women,' to highlight systemic failures and advocate for justice. MP Jess Phillips, a long-time supporter, was present in the Commons chamber to witness the announcement, stating the women had righted a 'fundamental unfairness.'
While celebrating the victory, campaigners acknowledged that the new measure is not perfect. Dame Nicole Jacobs, the domestic abuse commissioner, expressed disappointment that the increased sentence would not apply when a victim is killed by a family member. The mothers, however, remain committed to continuing their advocacy, with Devey stating, 'We're not going to stop now.' Gould also plans to use the new guidelines when her daughter's killer faces the Parole Board, seeing it as a recognition of his dangerousness.