North West Norfolk MP James Wild’s campaigning could contribute to more criminals being forced to attend court when sentenced

Campaigning by one of West Norfolk’s MPs could contribute to offenders being forced to stop “hiding away in their cells” when they are sentenced in court.

New amendments being debated in the House of Commons today are expected to extend judge’s powers with changes to the Criminal Justice Bill.

The threshold for enforcing court appearances from offenders currently only covers those who commit crimes where a life sentence could, or must, be imposed.

Now, the same rules would apply to serious offences which are punishable with imprisonment for 14 years or more.

Lowering the threshold for the availability of this new power follows lobbying by James Wild, the MP for North West Norfolk, who called on the Lord Chancellor to widen the scope of the power late last year and then met with the Sentencing Minister to make the case for change.

Mr Wild has campaigned for judges to be given these new powers - and his desire to see it extended was based on a West Norfolk case where an offender sentenced for sexual of assault of a child under 13 refused to attend his sentencing hearing at Norwich Crown Court.

Malcolm Appleby, of St Mary's Court in Middleton, plied a young girl with alcohol on a rabbit shooting trip before sexually assaulting her in 2021.

He was sentenced to 13 years in prison last year - but refused to attend his sentencing, as well as the majority of his trial.

Under the original drafting in the Bill, his offence and others of a serious nature would not have been covered - meaning offenders could still hide from victims and families rather than having to face them in open court.

Ahead of today’s debate, Mr Wild said: “It is vital for public confidence that justice is seen to be done and I have campaigned to ensure that means offenders being in the dock as they are sentenced.

“I am very pleased the Lord Chancellor listened and has brought forward these changes so more offenders convicted of serious crimes will not be able to hide away in their cells.

“That abuses victims and their families again and this legislation will give judges powers to stop it or impose longer sentences.”

The measures in the Criminal Justice Bill will create a new power for judges to order an offender to attend their hearings and make it clear – in law – that force can be used to make sure this happens.

If a criminal continues to resist attending their sentencing hearing despite a judge’s order, they will face an extra two years behind bars.