A paedophile has become the latest cowardly criminal to choose not to face sentencing in court as he refused to leave his prison cell. Paul Buckland, who committed a string of offences, decided not to attend his sentencing in person, with his decision being described as an ‘aggravating factor’.
Buckland was jailed for 20 years and his refusal to depart his cell comes amid mounting outrage over criminals refusing to ‘face justice’ when they’re sentenced. The UK’s most prolific baby serial killer, Lucy Letby, didn’t attend court docket final month to be sentenced for murdering seven infants and trying to homicide six extra.
Earlier this yr, Thomas Cashman refused to show up for his sentencing for the homicide of nine-year-old Olivia Pratt-Korbel in Liverpool. Both killers have been jailed of their absence, however their refusal to face the households of their victims sparked a nationwide outcry.
The outrage led the Ministry of Justice to final week announce deliberate laws to make defendants attend sentencing hearings, together with by power if wanted. Wiltshire Police stated Buckland, 35, of Plymouth, was discovered responsible of a string of sexual offences after a trial.
They have been: two counts of rape of a kid below 13; two of tried rape of a kid below 13; two of sexual assault of a kid below 13; one rely of participating in sexual exercise within the presence of a kid; two of inflicting a baby to look at a sexual act.
He was sentenced at Winchester Crown Court on Friday however refused to attend. Police stated this was thought of an aggravating think about his sentencing.
The offences have been dedicated greater than 10 years in the past whereas Buckland was dwelling in Tidworth, however reported to Wiltshire Police in 2020. Buckland was subsequently arrested and charged.
He pleaded not responsible to the offences, however was convicted in a trial which culminated on June 30.
Speaking after sentencing, detective constable Louise Thomas, stated: “Buckland is an abhorrent particular person who dedicated unspeakable acts to, and within the presence of, a baby.
“Actions equivalent to his have long-lasting and traumatic results on their victims, which might manifest in myriad methods. I’d prefer to commend the sufferer in chatting with us about her experiences – I perceive how tough it will need to have been for her and I hope that this sentence can carry some kind of reduction, understanding Buckland is behind bars.
“This incident befell greater than a decade in the past however didn’t come to mild till 2020 when it was bravely reported to us by the sufferer and her household.”
