A new law has come into force that prevents the most serious offenders from getting married behind bars, blocking serial killer Levi Bellfield from entering a civil partnership. Bellfield, who is serving two whole life orders for the murders of 13-year-old Milly Dowler, Marsha McDonnell, and Amelie Delagrange, as well as the attempted murder of Kate Sheedy, had recently submitted an application for a civil partnership.
The Government’s decision to expedite the previously announced restriction, effective from Friday, was reportedly spurred by Bellfield’s recent application. Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood emphasized that victims should not be tormented by seeing those who commit the most depraved crimes enjoy life events that were stolen from their loved ones.
Previously, Bellfield had applied to marry his girlfriend and sought legal aid to challenge a decision blocking his marriage. Reports indicated that he had been granted up to £30,000 in legal aid after his lawyers cited the European Convention on Human Rights and the 1983 Marriage Act. Although he withdrew his marriage application, Bellfield had submitted a new application for a civil partnership in recent months.
The new law, part of the Victims and Prisoners Act, aims to “deny the most heinous criminals from enjoying the important life events they callously took from their victims,” according to the Ministry of Justice (MoJ). It applies to those serving whole life orders, who previously could only be refused marriage or civil partnership applications by a prison governor on security grounds.
Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood stated, “Victims should not be tormented by seeing those who commit the most depraved crimes enjoy the moments in life that were stolen from their loved ones. That is why I have acted as soon as possible to stop these marriages and give victims the support they deserve.”
The MoJ added that the Lord Chancellor would retain the right to permit ceremonies in exceptional circumstances.
Bellfield received a whole life sentence for the murder of Marsha McDonnell, 19, in 2003, Amelie Delagrange, 22, and the attempted murder of Kate Sheedy, 18, in 2004. He was already serving his sentence when he went on trial for killing schoolgirl Milly Dowler, who was abducted while walking home from school in Walton-on-Thames, Surrey, in March 2002. Bellfield was found guilty of abducting and killing the 13-year-old following a trial at the Old Bailey in 2011.
