Judges urged to enforce attendance at sentencing hearings

Judges are being urged to use existing powers to compel defendants to attend sentencing hearings after Kyle Clifford refused to appear in court. He received three life sentences for murdering his former girlfriend and her family. Clifford's case follows others, including Thomas Cashman and Lucy Letby, who also did not attend their sentencing. While judges can order prison staff to use "reasonable force" to bring defendants to court, they are hesitant due to concerns about courtroom disruptions. The UK government announced plans for new laws to enforce attendance at sentencing, but these have not yet been passed. Current rules allow judges to punish non-compliance, including potential loss of prison privileges.