Naomi Long

The Sentencing Bill has been developed separately from a wide-ranging sentencing review announced by justice minister Naomi Long in January, which is ongoing.

“This is a significant step in bringing forward this important piece of legislation, which will have a positive impact on the lives of thousands of people across Northern Ireland,” Mrs Long said.

“It will increase the maximum penalty for causing death, or serious injury by dangerous driving or careless driving whilst under the influence of drink or drugs, from 14 years to 20 years.

“It will also introduce a new offence and higher sentences for assaulting those providing a service to the public or performing a public duty.

“The bill will also create ‘Charlotte’s law’, which aims to reduce the trauma experienced by families of murder victims in so called ‘no body’ cases.”

The so-called “Charlotte’s law” provisions will see the creation of a statutory aggravator for failure to disclose the location of victims’ remains and new sentence reductions for post-sentence disclosures.

It will also introduce provisions equivalent to “Helen’s law” in England and Wales, requiring Parole Commissioners to consider failure to disclose the location of victims’ remains in release decisions.

Mrs Long said: “In developing this bill, I have met and listened to a range of victims and stakeholder organisations.

“Their voices have been crucial and as we move closer to introducing the Sentencing Bill, I want to thank them for their invaluable contribution to this process.”