The rules are apparently being considered after Sabina Nessa’s killer refused to hear his sentence in Old Bailey on April 7. The 28-year-old teacher was killed in a park in south-east London by 36-year-old garage worker Koci Selamaj. He was sentenced to at least 36 years in prison for the crime, but was not there to hear the verdict or impact statements from the victim’s family. Nessa’s sister, Jabina Nessa, called Selemaj a coward because “you do not take responsibility for the damage you have done to our family.” The Sun quoted a government source as saying that Justice Minister Dominique Raab was considering the policy change “very carefully”. A government source confirmed to the Guardian that the plans were being considered. They said: “It has increased funding for victims by 85% and promoted victim legislation because it believes that victims should always be at the heart of the justice system.” Steve Reed, the shadow Labor Minister, reiterated that sentiment. “Judges need the power to force offenders to literally face justice in court, instead of refusing to appear in court and cause more inconceivable grief to victims,” ​​he said. “Victims are not at the heart of the criminal justice system,” Shadow Prison Minister Eli Reeves told Times Radio. He said Labor wanted judges to be able to keep criminals in “contempt of court” if they refused to attend their convictions in order to shift the balance “back to the victims of crime”. “People” want to see those who committed horrific crimes held accountable for what they have done, “he said. “We do not even have a victim code on a legal basis in this country – we have been promised it over and over again.” The current Victims Code provides legislative guidance on victims’ rights and sets out the minimum standards that organizations must provide to victims of crime.