Justice, one step closer...

Longer terms for killers in strangulation and break-up death cases

- SOPHIE HUSKISSON

MURDERERS who throttle their victims or kill them at the end of a relationship face even longer jail terms under a change to the law announced yesterday.

In a victory for the Mirror's Justice for our Daughters campaign, judges must consider tougher sentences in cases involving strangulation or when the killing is connected to a break-up.

The changes, due to come into force next year, are part of a Labour crackdown on violence against women.

An independent review found 30% of domestic murders involved strangulation and 40% occurred at the end, or perceived end, of the relationship.

In these scenarios all of the victims were female and all the killers men.

The Law Commission has also been asked to review the sentencing framework for murder and law of homicide.

The Ministry of Justice said "piecemeal changes" to the current murder sentencing framework introduced in 2003 have created "inconsistencies".