Claim: Recent changes to the law mean killers could avoid whole life terms by pleading guilty.
Fact-check: Can killers now avoid life in prison with a guilty plea? - Full Fact
Verdict: the new sentencing guidelines don't change the law. if a whole life order is made in court, a guilty plea will not reduce the sentence. however, a judge will factor a guilty plea into the decision about whether to make a whole life order in the first place.
Organisation: Full Fact
Author: Calum Young
Date published: 2016-02-11T00:00:00