The death sentence was abolished for murder in the UK in 1965, and the last executions took place in the country in 1964. But, at times, over the years some criminal cases sparked a debate as to whether it should be reintroduced. Margaret Thatcher, for example, famously supported bringing the punishment back, and voted for it in Parliament. Sword attacker Marcus Monzo was jailed for at least 40 years on Friday for the “wicked” murder of schoolboy Daniel Anjorin during a 20-minute rampage in Hainault, east London, on April 30 last year.

The 37-year-old fatally slashed the 14-year-old with a samurai sword in the street. Mr Justice Bennathan jailed Monzo for life with a minimum term of 40 years for murder and attacking three more members of the public and two police officers. He said: “In Hainault, east London, just before 7am on 30 April last year, the weather was good and the streets were starting to fill with people on their way to work and even a few children heading off early to school.

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“Over the 20 minutes that followed, that peaceful, busy scene was devastated as members of the public were attacked, police officers were gravely injured, a couple were terrified in their own home, and a clever, talented, much-loved young boy was killed by a savage blow with a sword. You, Marcos Arduini Monzo, did all of that.”

Daniel’s father, Dr Ebenezer Anjorin, condemned Monzo’s “wicked” actions as he described losing his son as his “worst nightmare”.

“I ran outside the house and just across the road I saw a hunched-up body by the side of the road.

“I did not realise that it was Daniel at first but, as I got closer, I recognised the school sports clothes and saw his face.

“He was lying in a pool of blood and had a deep cut to his face running from the side of his mouth to the back of his neck.

“He was motionless. I knew at once that he was dead, but I reached down, called his name and held his head.”