Offenders in England and Wales who kill current or ex-partners face 10 more years in prison
Increase comes after seven-year campaign by mothers of victims for a change in the minimum sentence for domestic murder
TL;DR
- New minimum sentence of 25 years for offenders who kill their current or ex-partner in England and Wales.
- The increase adds an extra 10 years to the previous minimum sentence for domestic murders.
- The change was driven by a seven-year campaign by mothers of victims.
- Current law often resulted in a 15-year starting point for domestic murders, as weapons were typically already present.
- The justice secretary highlighted historical failures in protecting women from domestic violence.
- The Guardian's 'killed women count' campaign noted 80 women killed in the UK in 2024.
- The proposed change is part of the government's commitment to halve violence against women and girls.
- The Prison Reform Trust warned of added pressure on the prison system.