Court neglect action could lead to life sentence

IF a court case is brought following the death of Evelyn Joel, then charges could be brought under the Non-Fatal Offences against the Person Act, with a maximum sentence of life imprisonment upon conviction.

There are two sections in the 1997 act under which a prosecution could proceed.

The first is section 13, which deals with endangerment. The law says: “A person shall be guilty of an offence who intentionally or recklessly engages in conduct which creates a substantial risk of death or serious harm to another.”