The Crewe & Nantwich MP has called for reforms to criminal sentencing - ensuring all child murderers spend the rest of their lives in prison.

Yesterday (October 11), Dr Kieran Mullan, held a debate in Parliament calling on the government to go further with a recent change to the law - aiming to send child murderers to prison for life.

The former volunteer police constable highlighted a loophole in the new measure.

Elsie Urry's three three children, Paul Ralph, four, Dawn, two, and nine-month-old Samantha, were murdered at their Worcester home in 1973 (Dr Kieran Mullan MP).

As part of his campaign, Dr Mullan has been working with Elsie Urry, whose three children, Paul Ralph, four, Dawn, two, and nine-month-old Samantha, were murdered at their Worcester home in 1973.

Their killer, David McGreavy, was released from prison in 2019.

Hitting out at the misleading use of the term 'life sentence,' Dr Mullan pointed out in reality people given a life sentence usually only spend 16.5 years in prison.

Earlier this year, a new "whole life order", where people spend the rest of their lives in prison with no possibility of release, was brought in for child murder.

This measure only applies when the murder has been committed with "significant premeditation."

During the debate, the Crewe MP highlighted that this would mean it would not apply in many cases - including the recent high profile murder of six-year old- Arthur Labinjo Hughes.

Yesterday (October 11), Dr Kieran Mullan, held a debate in Parliament calling on the government to go further with a recent change to the law (Wikimedia Commons).

In this case, the judge said there was no premeditation.

Arthur suffered 130 injuries in the lead up to his death at the age of six.

He was poisoned with salt, emaciated, forced to sleep on a hard floor and stand all day in a hallway.

The amount of violence used on him produced forces on his body equivalent to a high-speed road traffic collision.

Emma Tustin was convicted of murdering Arthur in December last year and was given a life sentence with a minimum of 29 years.

Speaking during the debate, Dr Mullan said "Every person I have spoken to and everyone who has contacted me about that case wanted to see her locked up for the rest of her life.

Dr Kieran Mullan highlighted a loophole in the new measure on child murderer sentencing at parliament yesterday - October 11 (Wikimedia Commons).

"But in his sentencing remarks the judge was clear, there was no premeditation in this case.

"So we know, if that terrible crime were to be repeated tomorrow, the new measure we have passed would not take effect.

"Despite I expect it being exactly the type of cruel callous murder the public would expect to be impacted."

Dr Mullan believes the Conservative record of sentencing for serious offenders is still something to be 'proud' of.

He said: "This government can be proud of its overall record in many ways. Changing Labour's appalling halfway early release to two thirds for serious offenders.

"Though again, I think most people would want that for all offenders, but progress nonetheless.

Dr Kieran Mullan believes the Conservative record of sentencing for serious offenders is still something to be 'proud' of (Wikimedia Commons).

"Introducing GPS tagging for some repeat offenders. Bringing in tougher sentencing options for child cruelty and dangerous driving."

"But acting properly on child murder would have been a step forward I thought long overdue and welcome, and my support for it was as strong sadly as my disappointment for how we ended up doing it.

"We can and must do better."

"I think that is the right thing to do. It is the right thing to do for past victims and their families to honour and recognise their suffering and it is the right thing to do so that we know in future, when children are murdered, at the very least we can ensure they and their families get justice."

Elsie Urry's three young children were all killed in a drunken rage from David McGreavy.

Speaking ahead of the debate, she said "I don't want anyone else to have to go through what I have had to go through, seeing the person that murdered their child walk free from prison.

David McGreavy killed Elsie Urry's three young children in a drunken rage back in 1973 (Wikipedia).

"I fully support Kieran's campaign and hope the government will change this so it works and gives justice to all child murder victims.

"I am the one living the real life sentence, not the killer."

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