Jane Clough family campaign: Bail law changes a step closer

Jane Clough was stabbed 71 times outside the hospital she worked at

A change to the law on bail has moved a step closer, following a campaign led by the family of a murdered nurse.

Jane Clough, 26, of Lancashire, was stabbed by her partner Jonathan Vass. He was on bail accused of raping her.

The government has now tabled an amendment to a bill in Parliament which would allow prosecutors to challenge a judge's decision to grant bail.

Currently, there is no mechanism to challenge a crown court judge's decision to give a defendant bail.

Appeals can be made against magistrates' bail decisions.

The amendment, to the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Bill, would allow prosecutors to appeal against a crown court judge's bail ruling at the High Court.

'Vital safeguard'

Justice Minister Crispin Blunt said: "As a matter of course, defendants who have committed violent crimes and pose a danger to the public are always remanded in custody while they are awaiting trial.

"But we know that there have been occasions when offenders have been bailed and have gone on to commit more, and sometimes very serious, crimes.

"These changes will provide a vital safeguard for the public by allowing prosecutors to challenge crown court bail decisions when they fear a potentially dangerous defendant may be being bailed."

Prime Minister David Cameron gave his support to the Cloughs at Prime Minister's Questions last week, saying there was a "strong case for changing the law".

The family, from Barrowford, said they were delighted to receive his backing.

Ms Clough's parents have said they believe their daughter would still be alive if the Crown Prosecution Service had had the right to challenge bail decisions in 2010.

She was stabbed 71 times by Vass outside Blackpool Victoria Hospital in July 2010.

Vass, from Preston, pleaded guilty to murder and was jailed for life with a minimum term of 30 years in October 2010.

The rape charges were ordered to lie on file.