Televised sentencing of Ben Oliver is a 'breakthrough' for open justice, says police commissioner

On Thursday, July 28, legal history was made at the Old Bailey when for the first time ever, a sentencing hearing was televised.

Ben Oliver, 25, was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 10 years and eight months for the manslaughter of his grandfather, 74-year-old David Oliver.

Only the judge was filmed, in order to protect the privacy of witnesses, victims and jurors, with footage broadcast on news channels and made available online.

There was also a 10 second time delay between the live feed and what was taking place in the courtroom in real-time.

Hampshire’s police and crime commissioner Donna Jones said: ‘Letting the cameras into the courtroom to film the sentencings of some of the country’s most serious offenders will allow the public to see justice first hand, as it happens.

‘Transparency in our criminal justice system is paramount for people being able to have confidence that justice is being properly served, and further helps the public understand the complexities of the decisions judges have to make regarding serious crimes.

‘Sentencing hearings are absolutely in the public interest, they are perpetrator focussed, and I am really pleased to have seen this breakthrough today in the pursuit of open justice.’

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The court heard how Oliver stabbed his grandfather to death in south London on January 19 last year.

His lack of empathy was worsened by his autism, said Judge Sarah Munro QC.