Debate contribution: Criminal Justice (Sentencing etc) Bill: Second Stage

Debate contribution by Mr Maurice Bradley on 16 March 2026.

MLA: Mr Maurice Bradley
Party at the time: Democratic Unionist Party
Date: 16 March 2026
Type: Debate contribution
Business: Executive Committee Business
Heading: Criminal Justice (Sentencing etc) Bill: Second Stage
Assembly identifier: Official Report component 5448925

Text

I will speak generally to the Bill. The Democratic Unionist Party welcomes the opportunity to contribute to the Second Stage debate of the Criminal Justice Bill. Public confidence in our justice system depends heavily on the credibility of sentencing. Victims and the wider public must be able to see that serious crime is met with appropriate and proportionate consequences. A number of elements in the Bill will command broad support across the Assembly.
In particular, the provisions commonly referred to as "Charlotte's law" represent an important recognition of the ongoing trauma experienced by families in cases where offenders refuse to disclose the location of a victim's remains. Ensuring that such behaviour is treated as an aggravating factor in sentencing is a welcome step in acknowledging the suffering of those families. This year, 30 March will see the 25th anniversary of the death of 22-year-old Gill Bradley, a close cousin, much more like a niece, who was killed when a drunk driver crashed into her car. She was a beautiful girl who had just qualified as a teacher and was an only child. Her parents were denied seeing their daughter married and were also denied the pleasure of holding a treasured grandchild. Therefore, I welcome measures aimed at strengthening penalties for serious driving offences, and such measures will also be welcomed by many across Northern Ireland. Too many families have been devastated by dangerous and reckless behaviour on our roads, and it is right that the law reflects the gravity of those offences. We also recognise the intention behind the creation of a specific offence relating to assaults on public workers. Violence or abuse directed at individuals who are simply carrying out their duties is unacceptable, and the law should provide appropriate protection. However, as the Assembly considers the principles of the Bill, it is important that several issues are carefully examined as the legislation progresses. Sentencing reform must be considered alongside the practical realities of the justice system. Changes that increase sentences or create new offences will have implications for prison capacity and resources across the system. Perhaps now we will see progress on a new prison at Magilligan, which has been mooted since I came here in 2016 but has never materialised. In addition, whilst statutory sentencing principles may help to promote consistency, it is important that judicial discretion is preserved so that courts can continue to consider the individual circumstances of each case. For those reasons, while the DUP is content for the Bill to proceed, the Committee Stage will be crucial. I and others on the Justice Committee will have the opportunity to scrutinise the proposals in detail and hear evidence from victims' organisations, legal practitioners and others in the justice system. Our focus throughout the process will be on ensuring that the legislation delivers justice for victims, maintains public confidence and results in sentencing laws that are clear, workable and proportionate.

485 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.

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