Killers who take the lives of their partners or exes face an extra 10 years in prison when an "outdated and misogynistic" sentencing loophole is finally closed.
Bereaved mums have voiced their relief after Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy confirmed domestic killers must be given a recommended starting point of 25 years behind bars. The overhaul, to be announced on Tuesday, will replace heavily-criticised sentencing laws which distinguish between homicides inside the home and outside.
It follows years of campaigning by three bereaved mums whose daughters were murdered by violent exes in their homes or their killer's homes. Carole Gould, Julie Devey and Elaine Newborough said the change finally means women's lives are valued as highly as men's.
Under current laws, most domestic murders have a 15-year sentencing starting point because they happen in the home. However murders where a weapon is taken to the scene carry a minimum 25 year sentence.
Campaigners have long demanded the gap is closed. Mr Lammy, who is also Justice Secretary, said: “For centuries, the law failed to protect women from violence at the hands of their partner – whether from marital rape or from abuse behind closed doors. Whilst we’ve made significant progress, we need to continue righting these wrongs.
"This change closes a long overdue gap and will ensure those who murder their partner face sentences that better reflect the devastating harm they cause."
He praised Carole, Julie and Elaine, who founded pressure group Killed Women demanding justice for their daughters. Carole's daughter Ellie was just 17 when she was murdered in 2019 by Thomas Griffiths at her home in Calne, Wiltshire, after she ended the relationship.
He was sentenced to at least 12-and-a-half years because of his age. Julie's daughter Poppy Devey Waterhouse, 24, was murdered in her Leeds flat by Joe Atkinson in 2018 after their three-year relationship ended. He was jailed for a minimum of 15 years and 310 days.
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And Elaine's daughter Meghan was strangled and had her throat cut by Ross McCullam at his Leicestershire home. McCullam was given a minimum term of 23 years in 2023.
In a statement the three mums said: "At last, women’s lives are being valued as highly as men’s. Since around 70% of victims of homicide in the home are women, it has long been unjust that those who murder them routinely receive substantially lighter sentences simply because the murder weapon, such as a kitchen knife, was already there, rather than brought to the scene.
"We have been campaigning relentlessly on this issue for seven years to persuade the state just how dangerous these men are. We have lost our daughters – Poppy, Ellie and Megan – to such men.
"Anyone who can murder someone they once loved - often the mother of their children - using such extreme violence is clearly a serious threat, not only to other women but to the public."
And they continued: "Over seven long years we have met with seven Lord Chancellors each being sympathetic, but it is this Lord Chancellor, David Lammy, who has finally done the right thing."
In 2024 Killed Women launched a 'killed here' campaign, placing blue plaques at addresses where women were killed in their homes. It said at the time: "Killed Women’s Black & Blue Plaques: ‘Killed Here’ campaign calls on the new Labour Government to uphold the Conservatives’ commitment to change the outdated and misogynistic UK domestic homicide sentencing laws in support of murdered women and their families."
Domestic Abuse Commissioner Dame Nicole Jacobs, said: “For too long abusers who kill have not faced a punishment that reflects the full gravity of their crimes. This welcome change is a testament to all the bereaved families who have fought tirelessly to deliver justice for their loved ones. I’m also pleased to see the government include safeguards so victims who kill their perpetrators following prolonged abuse will not face longer sentences.
“I am however disappointed that this increase won’t apply when a victim is killed by a family member. It’s no less heinous a crime when a parent is killed by their child or someone is a victim of so-called ‘honour’ based abuse by a relative.
“I urge the government to ensure there is fairness in sentencing across all domestic homicides. Tackling the epidemic of domestic abuse and gender-based violence will not be achieved if we do things in half measures.”