Understand
Blaenau Gwent mother criticises justice system as drink and drug driver who killed her two children is released
Overview
Rhiannon Lucas, whose children Gracie-Ann and Jayden-Lee were killed in an M4 crash caused by drink and drug driver Martin Newman in February 2022, has condemned the justice system after Newman was released from prison having served half of his nine-year and four-month sentence.
Key points
- Martin Newman crashed his van into a stationary family car on the M4 near Newport on 5 February 2022, killing four-year-old Gracie-Ann and three-year-old Jayden-Lee.
- Newman was originally sentenced in April 2022 to nine years and four months in prison after admitting two counts of causing death by dangerous driving and one count of causing serious injury by dangerous driving.
- The victim's mother, Rhiannon Lucas, expressed deep anger and described the justice system as a "disgrace" following his release after serving half his sentence.
- The Ministry of Justice stated that offenders released on licence must abide by strict conditions or face being sent back to prison, and noted that death by drunk or dangerous driving offences have been blocked from recent sentencing changes.