- The family of Julie Butcher, who was murdered by her ex-husband, say they were traumatised after police provided a photo of her killer, Richard Butcher, upon his release from prison, showing him openly smiling.
- Julie Butcher was strangled to death by her ex-husband Richard Butcher in 2005 in Swindon, after he lured her to the home; he pleaded guilty and was jailed for life with a minimum term of 13 years.
- Upon Butcher's release in October 2020, Emma King, Julie's sister, was given the photo by police liaison officers who apologised for its inappropriate nature, prompting her to campaign for 'Julie's Law'.
- 'Julie's Law' proposes national guidance for offender photographs used within the criminal justice system to follow a neutral identification format, akin to passports, to prevent further distress to victims' families.
- The Ministry of Justice has apologised for the distress caused by the photograph, saying that photos are provided when necessary for victim protection, while Emma King has also established the Swindon Sisters Alliance to support domestic violence victims.
IN FULL
Family of murdered woman traumatised after being handed photo of her killer laughing by police
