Abuse campaigner sees late-plea changes debated

A woman who suffered domestic abuse has seen sentencing guidelines debated in Parliament after a petition she started was signed more than 107,000 times.

Paris Shears, 30, launched the campaign after ex-partner Robert Hastings pleaded guilty to several charges, including intentional strangulation, on the day of his trial, having pleaded not guilty 236 days earlier.

She said allowing such late plea changes meant perpetrators continued to exercise control "through the justice system".

During the Westminster Hall debate, Justice Minister Jake Richards said the government was "not persuaded" the change should be implemented but that it was taking "huge steps" to support victims.

Hastings changed his plea to guilty on the first day of his trial on 9 March to one count of intentional strangulation and one count of assault by beating after pleading not guilty on 16 July 2025.

The further charge of controlling or coercive behaviour was left on file.

He received 18 months' imprisonment, suspended for 18 months.

Shears believes he was given a reduced sentence because of this guilty plea - even though it came on the day of the trial.

The trial did not go ahead, and she said it meant he maintained his control until the last minute.

Shears began a campaign to see sentencing guidelines reviewed.

A guilty plea produces greater benefits for the defendant the earlier it is indicated.

Entering a guilty plea on the first day of trial in England and Wales typically earns a 10% sentence reduction.

Shears set up her petition calling on the government to introduce legislation - known as Paris's Law - to prevent defendants charged with controlling or coercive behaviour receiving a sentencing reduction for a guilty plea entered after initially pleading not guilty.

The proposal was focused on late guilty pleas after an initial denial. It did not call for sentence reductions for all guilty pleas to be removed.

Shears said: "We've heard defence barristers advise clients to plead not guilty in the hope victims don't turn up.

"The control continues through the justice system, through every loophole and it's not okay.

"Parliament is where change happens so it was really important to get it through those doors because, if we can't, change is not going to happen."

The petition reached the necessary 100,000 signatures to be debated in Parliament, and the debate took place during Domestic Abuse Awareness Month.

It also comes as the government prepares to update the statutory guidance on controlling or coercive behaviour by the end of 2026.

Speaking during the debate, Shears' constituency MP, Liberal Democrat Liz Jarvis, paid tribute to her campaign.

"She has taken the worst experience of her life and turned it into a fight to change the law," Jarvis said.

The Eastleigh MP said the change to the sentencing guidelines would be a "practical step".

"It is completely unacceptable that a defendant can continue their cycle of abuse and still be rewarded with a reduced sentence for changing their plea at the last possible moment," she added.

Isle of Wight MP Richard Quigley praised Shears' "extraordinary bravery".

He said the current set-up made a "mockery of justice".

"On this issue, I fear we are giving offenders, who have already shown themselves to be manipulative and callous towards those they profess to love, additional opportunities to continue facilitating abuse and control."

Shadow Justice Minister Kieran Mullan said Shears' petition was "extraordinary".

He said last-minute plea changes meant the defendant "controlled the narrative".

However he said the current system, whereby a defendant gets a reduction in their sentence for a guilty plea, was a "longstanding principle".

"It does potentially spare victims and witnesses from having to give evidence and be cross-examined," he said.

He said he was "not quite there" in supporting the specific Paris's Law proposal, but called for measures to encourage earlier guilty pleas such as further preparatory hearings.

Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Ministry of Justice, Jake Richards, described coercive control as an "insidious" offence.

However he said he was "not persuaded" about the specifics of Paris's Law.

"It's a difficult balancing act - trying to encourage defendants who are guilty to plead guilty, but doing so in a way that protects victims.

"We're not persuaded at the moment that the evidence suggests that victims would be best served by a scrapping of discounts just for this particular offence."

He highlighted the government's pledge to halve violence against women and girls over the next decade.

"I understand perhaps some of those who signed the petition will be disappointed, but we are taking huge steps to support and protect victims throughout the justice system."

He said the government had committed £550m over three years for witness support services.

He also agreed to meet Shears.

Speaking after the debate, Shears said she remained "very optimistic".

"Lots of avenues have opened, meetings with ministers, support for Paris's Law from MPs who spoke was overwhelming and the conversation has started. This is just the beginning," she added.