On 21st august, Hereford-born former nurse, Lucy Letby, the UK’s most prolific child killer of modern times, received a “whole life” prison sentence for her crimes. She had been found guilty of murdering seven babies, and of attempting to murder a further six. The “whole life” sentence means that she is ineligible for parole, and will, therefore, never be released.

Letby, though, was not present in court to hear either the judge handing down her sentence, or to hear the victim impact statements of the parents of the thirteen babies in the case. She had refused, as is currently her right, to leave her cel. This caused no small amount of anger, as a number of those people making their statements believed that being able to address Letby directly would help them to find some sort of closure.

This, in turn, led to calls for a change in the law, making it compulsory for criminals to attend their sentencing, and to be compelled to listen to any and all victim impact statements. Today, the Government indicated that it would oblige. Criminals will be compelled to attend their sentencing, by force, if necessary.

The anger, and the Government’s need to assuage that anger, are quite understandable. Letby should have heard the judge’s remarks. She should have heard every word of every victim impact statement. But I’m not comfortable with the idea of those who are about to be sentenced being forced into the dock.

I do not say this out of concern for the criminal. As I said, Letby should have heard every word of the proceedings. But apart from helping to satisfy the understandable atavistic desire for some measure of vengeance, I’m not convinced that physically forcing her, or anyone else, into the dock would do any good. How, for example, would criminals be prevented from disrupting proceedings? Would they appear in a straightjacket? Would they have to be gagged? Many such vile creatures believe that it is they who are the real victims. Public displays of force could play into their hands. Do we really want to turn monsters into victims?

Instead, if convicted criminals refuse to attend their sentencing, all proceedings should be piped into their cels. That way, they are forced to hear the judge and any victims, but the victims don’t have to witness any signs of pleasure at, or indifference to, their continued suffering.

I don’t expect that any member of His Majesty’s Government will read this. Nor any appropriate civil servants. But I hope that if a legal ignoramus such as I can come to these conclusions, so can they.