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THROW AWAY THE KEY

Child murderers will NEVER be released from prison and die behind bars under new government plans

CHILD murderers will be condemned to die in jail under government plans.

The killers will have whole life orders slapped on them by judges, meaning they will never be released from prison.

 Serial killer Rose West is among 60 prisoners already condemned to die behind bars
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Serial killer Rose West is among 60 prisoners already condemned to die behind barsCredit: Rex Features

The crackdown will be unveiled this week by Boris Johnson and Justice Secretary Robert Buckland.

The PM will make the policy a central plank of the Queen’s Speech on October 14 when MPs are scheduled to make their Westminster return.

The eye-catching move comes as Downing Street continues to gear up for a general election that many observers feel is highly likely before the end of the year.

Sentencing Council rules say judges must give “a life sentence to all offenders found guilty of murder”.

They set a minimum term an offender must serve before they can be considered for parole.

But most child killers will never be released from jail if the law change is triggered.

 There are about 60 serving prisoners condemned to die behind bars including Suffolk Strangler Steve Wright
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There are about 60 serving prisoners condemned to die behind bars including Suffolk Strangler Steve WrightCredit: PA:Press Association

The proposal will not extend to teenagers who kill other teenagers who are not considered adults.

A campaigner said last night: “This is a good move. Life should mean life.

“Those who kill children should never receive parole.”

Currently, there are about 60 serving prisoners condemned to die behind bars including Suffolk Strangler Steve Wright who murdered five sex workers in 2006.

Rose West, convicted in 1995 of killing women and girls with husband Fred, at their home in Gloucester will also die in prison.

Tougher new sentencing rules about paedophiles will also to be announced in the coming days.

A senior government source said: “We’ll show how violent, dangerous criminals will be locked up for longer and how we’ll put victims and families first.”

Double murderer and child rapist Stephen Michael West is executed by electric chair