The law will be changed in England and Wales so a history of coercive or controlling behaviour against the victim will be taken into account when judges sentence people who kill their partners or ex-partners, the justice ministry has announced.
A public consultation will also be held into whether a higher sentencing starting point of 25 years should be applied in such cases.
The changes follow recommendations made by Clare Wade KC in an independent review into domestic homicide sentencing. Findings included current guidelines do not adequately reflect that many domestic homicides are preceded by years of abuse.
Among other actions the Westminster government is asking the Sentencing Council to review manslaughter sentencing guidelines so deaths during rough sex should be punished with longer jail terms.
