To think Lucy Letby should be made to attend court for the sentencing

[Viviennemary]

I know there are other threads on this terrible case. But I just read she has refused to attend court for the sentencing which is to be on Monday morning. The judge said he does not have the power to force her to attend. Can't see she will ever be allowed out of prison. And rightly so.

YANBU but I don't see how this can be put into practice.
They can't drag the prisoners kicking and screaming, they could become violent and a risk to the staff and others.
It would also be disruptive in the courtroom and hinder the court process.

Short of manhandling her in there, risking injury to her and/or the officers, how could she be forced to attend?

If the law is that defendants are allowed not to attend, then that's the law.

As a country we need to stop shouting for law changes based on very emotive events.

If the law needs review then we can do that calmly in future. I assume there are practical issues with 'forcing' attendance.

I wonder if the parents want her there or not

Said this on a different thread but I strongly believe she will be in a secure hospital like Rampton and not prison.

Even if he did have the authority/power to order her, what does that actually mean in practice?

Guards dragging her kicking and screaming, her injuring guards or making allegations they have assaulted her so there has to be an investigation and the guard suspended during that?

What about if she sits in the court shouting out, crying out, disrupting proceedings, is that productive and effective? Making it all about her?

Now she might not do those things but a lot of prisoners do/would, I couldnt care less if convicts are present in the court or not, in fact I find it a more powerful message to people that justice is served whether you choose to engage with proceedings or not.

I dont know why people are so hung up on this, its irrelevant if she attends, it means nothing. The sentence is the sentence, she has already been convicted, the job is done regardless of whether she is sitting there to hear it or not.

You can't force someone to attend thier sentencing.

Dragging her in kicking and screaming will be too distressing for the victim families.

To be honest, I always think the sentencing isn't really for the criminal. She doesn't matter now.

The sentencing is for the families. It won't undo the deaths, it won't bring the babies back, but I hope it brings some justice.

I agree it needs reviewing, perhaps they could add 5 years on and no privileges ever if they don't attend

I dont think she should be forced to attend.

The Secret Barrister said it better than I can: https://thesecretbarrister.com/2023/04/04/how-do-we-force-cowardly-murderers-to-face-up-to-what-they-have-done/amp/

I dont know why people are so hung up on this, its irrelevant if she attends, it means nothing. The sentence is the sentence, she has already been convicted, the job is done regardless of whether she is sitting there to hear it or not.

You put it far better than I did @bellac11 . That's what I was trying to say

You can't drag someone physically to court. It's really not hard to imagine why!!

Made how?

Seen this sprouted on all the threads. You can't physically drag someone up to court, it's such a stupid thing to suggest!

I think she should have to attend the sentencing, but they shouldn’t be holding the sentencing for crimes like these the way that they do. It’ll be an absolute fucking circus with thousands of people turning up to gawp at the notorious child killer. This is a serious and sickening case involving the death and torture of multiple babies, and this woman is getting a sentence that will hopefully see her behind bars for the rest of her life. It’s not an entertaining day out for the masses who want to turn up for a bit of drama. The sentencing should be held in a private place, with only the relevant people in attendance.

You can't add 5 years onto a life sentence

And it's easy to say - just drag her there, or deny her privileges for life when you are not the (underpaid) member of staff trying to drag her there or trying to deal with her in prison when she has nothing to lose because she has no privileges

I think the bigger issue is that there has been no explanation from her that could provide the tiniest morsel of an answer as to why she did this for the poor families. That said, I do think attendance at sentencing should be mandatory.

The less we see of her the better imo.

Thing is what if someone enjoys hearing the suffering they caused? In that case it would be more of a punishment that they didn't attend.

What answer would that be????

I killed your baby because I get a thrill out of killing babies and yours was the unlucky one that day?

Her attendance is irrelevant.

It makes no difference. Sentencing will be based on the verdict and she cannot be forced to go

And what difference would it make ?

It doesn't matter if she's there or not - she's not going anywhere.

Would the families even want her there , especially against her will which would be a complete circus?

I think that's what the majority of posters that want her dragged in want.. a circus. Will she break down, will she not? More dissecting of her reactions/demeanour. Glee if she does breakdowns, knowing nods if she doesn't and so on. Just to fan the flames and milk it further.

She is facing what she's done because she's been found guilty, she is being sentenced and she will go away for a very long time. She can't pretend it didn't happen when she will be living it every day for a long ,long time.

Well the victims families should have the right to read their statements to the perpetrator in court if they want to. Some have said that it was a v important part of the process for them
And of course they could make her attend. They could hand cuff her and gag her if needs be.
She should not have any rights at all at this point. So the families wishes should be paramount and if they want to see her sentenced face to.face then they should be afforded that right.

Yes she damn well should.
The babies could not say no, so she should'nt.