The sentencing of a young man to life in prison for murder was filmed by television cameras Thursday (July 28th) in a London court, a first for a criminal court in England to be made permanent to improve “transparency“.
“Opening the courtroom to cameras to film the sentencing of some of the country’s worst offenders will improve transparency and build trust in the justice systemsaid Justice Minister Dominic Raab on Twitter. “The public will now be able to see justice done, which will help them better understand the complex decisions judges make“, he added.
Only the judge will be filmed
This change comes after a change in the law in 2020. Its implementation was delayed by the coronavirus pandemic. “It’s something that broadcasters, including Sky News, have campaigned for for over a decade“, noted John Ryley, head of Sky News. BBC News acting director Jonathan Munro praised “a crucial moment for the transparency of the judicial system“. Ushering in the change, Ben Oliver, 25, was sentenced at the Old Bailey Criminal Court to life imprisonment with a minimum sentence of 10 years and eight months for stabbing his 74-year-old grandfather to death year.
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This court located in the heart of the capital examines criminal cases such as murders and terrorist attacks. If cameras are allowed, only the judge will be filmed to protect the privacy of victims, witnesses and jurors. The images will be broadcast ten seconds late to avoid any violation of restrictions or errors.
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