Killers could walk free under Keir Starmers early prison release plan: Criminals convicted of manslaughter ARE eligible for discounted jail terms
Dozens of killers are set to be free early from prison after it was confirmed that killers convicted of manslaughter will be eligible for discounted jail terms.
Dozens of killers are set to be free early from prison after it was confirmed that killers convicted of manslaughter will be eligible for discounted jail terms.
Labour ministers have sought to counter public anger over the deeply controversial scheme by insisting that precautions are being taken to protect the public against the most violent offenders.
But the fact killers will be among those set free after serving just a fraction of their sentences will be seen as more evidence that the public are being put at risk.
In sickening scenes yesterday morning, freed inmates celebrated by soaking themselves in champagne. One former prisoner was met by friends in a Lamborghini while another boasted that he was now a ‘lifelong Labour voter’.
Last year saw 16 killers jailed for less than four years for manslaughter, official government figures show, meaning they will be eligible for discounted sentences. There were nine similar sentences handed out the previous year.
One of the most serious offenders to be released early is Lawson Natty who supplied a machete used to kill 14-year-old Gordon Gault in Newcastle in November 2022
Gordon died in hospital six days after he was attacked with a blade during an ongoing feud in Elswick, Newcastle, in November 2022
Gordons mother, Dionne Barrett, has described herself as sickened by the news
One of the most serious offenders to be released early is Lawson Natty who supplied a machete used to kill 14-year-old Gordon Gault in Newcastle in November 2022.
The 18-year-old was convicted of manslaughter and jailed for two years and eight months in March but is now due to be released, to the disgust of his victims mother Dionne Barrett.
I feel totally sick to my stomach that hes allowed out now after only serving months. Its absolutely sickening, she told Good Morning Britain.
Hell be getting out within the next couple of days. He will be going to an immigration processing centre to start with but then he could get bailed from there. Hes going to be back out on the streets.
Fair enough, let petty criminals out – not somebody whos killed a 14-year-old child; someone who purchases machetes. What if he does it again to somebody else?
Natty had served time on remand which counts against his sentence, meaning he is now due to be let out of jail, it is understood.
The first 1,700 inmates were let out of jail yesterday with a further 4,000 to come by the end of next month as part of a scheme drawn up by Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood. Thousands more will be freed early over the next 18 months.
Lags sauntered out of prisons across the country, whooping and punching the air with delight.
Some were sprayed with bubbly by friends and embraced as the Government’s early release scheme kicked in.
One vowed to ‘get lit’ – intoxicated – to celebrate his unexpected freedom, while others said they were looking forward to tucking into fast food from McDonald’s.
Convicted drug dealer Djaber Benallaoua, 20, said the early release policy had made him a ‘lifelong Labour voter’.
Asked how it felt to be freed from HMP Isis, in south-east London, where he was greeted by five friends, he said: ‘I thank Labour. Because I’ve come out five or six months early than I was supposed to, so I’m just happy.’
Benallaoua, who was given a two-and-a-half-year sentence but was let out six months earlier than planned, added: ‘It’s a very good policy because it’s given a lot of prisoners a lot of hope. When prisoners found out they’d be released early they were very positive.’
Asked about his future plans, he said: ‘I’m just elated right now. I’m gonna get lit.’
Daniel Rutuls, also walking free from HMP Isis, said he had been released a month early after serving almost 18 months of a three-year sentence for aggravated burglary. Asked if he had a message for the Prime Minister, the 19-year-old from Harlesden, north London, said: ‘Thank you, and it’s a smart decision, because now you’ve got more space.’
He said he would ‘100 per cent’ vote Labour now, adding: ‘I’m really happy to be out. The reaction was very positive when we found out we would be released.’
One freed inmate was greeted at HMP Pentonville in north London by a brand new black Lamborghini Huracan Tecnica, which has a basic list price of £212,000.
Ben Savage, who was released from HMP Thameside this morning, said he was delighted to be out early
Tareen Shakil hugs his mother as he leaves prison in Birmingham six weeks early after serving half of a four year sentence for drug related offences
Former Hollywood actor Jason Hoganson puts his thumbs up after being released from HMP Durham where he was serving a sentence for attacking a woman in the street
At HMP Elmley on the Isle of Sheppey, Kent, lags were welcomed with hugs and kisses from waiting family and friends, who came with champagne and a sound system blasting out music.
One criminal who had served four years for fraud and declined to give his name said: ‘It’s like a great escape. Thank you Sir Keir Starmer, you’re the best. It’s a right touch. My family are well pleased.’ Another said: ‘I thought I had got another six months left. This is a brilliant policy.’
At Nottingham jail, a freed criminal in a grey tracksuit was soaked with bottles of £6.95 ‘I heart Bubbly’ after exiting the prison gates.
More sparkling wine was sprayed in the air outside Wandsworth prison, south London, as a group of young men celebrated their friend’s release.
Cheers went up as the young man, named only as Daniel, left the Victorian jail and was quickly embraced by a woman before joining the rowdy group.
The friends, who arrived in a fleet of luxury cars including a black BMW, passed the hours in the lead-up to his release listening to music, smoking and laughing in what resembled a party atmosphere. They brought along two £17.99 bottles of Luc Belaire Luxe sparkling wine, which were shaken and sprayed as their friend exited the prison gate.
A total of 16 inmates had left Wandsworth by midday. Many were delighted to be released, with Liam Fitzpatrick, 34, saying: ‘Everyone’s happy today, there are a lot of happy faces.’
He said he was ‘100 per cent grateful’ to Labour for letting him out early. Mr Fitzpatrick said he had originally been jailed for three years for what he said were ‘driving offences and fighting’ but was released after 18 months.
Ross Heathorn, 46, said he was heading straight to McDonald’s to celebrate his freedom. ‘It feels good to be free,’ he said. Despite the Government’s claims that inmates would not be released homeless, Jack Creighton, 54, said he was going to ‘spend the night on a park bench’ due to having no accommodation lined up.
Inmates whooped with joy as they were released from Holme House prison in Stockton-on-Tees, County Durham.
Stuart Bennett dances in the street outside HMP Leeds as he is released early yesterday
Liam Fitzpatrick shouts and holds two bags in the air as he leaves Wandsworth Prison in London yesterday
A man and woman hug each other outside HMP Bristol as inmates are released from jail early
A prisoner released early from his two-year assault sentence told how he was going home to Redcar, North Yorkshire. He said: ‘I was meant to be out in November but they told me a month ago that I’d be out a couple of months earlier. I’ve been buzzing to get out. I can’t wait to see my mum and dad. We’ll have a drink to celebrate.’
At HMP Leeds offender Stuart Bennett danced in the street and gave a thumbs-up sign after being let out.
Among others released from the Category B jail in West Yorkshire was 29-year-old Joe Lindley, who has already told his family he may start stealing again to feed his heroin habit. He was jailed for nine months for drug-related shoplifting offences and was being released after six weeks.
His father Andrew Lindley, 70, a retired careers adviser, said: ‘It came as quite a surprise I have to say. He has already said he will have to start stealing again if he does not get his benefits. I just hope the Jobcentre is open when we get back to Huddersfield.’
One offender released from HMP Wormwood Scrubs after serving 19 months of a three-and-a-half year sentence for drugs offences, said he was pleased to be out but added: ‘I don’t know if I agree with everybody being released early, especially for more serious crimes.’
At HMP Manchester, formerly Strangeways, luxury cars cruised the streets as relatives waited for prisoners to be released. A Mercedes SUV and Land Rover greeted one offender who changed from a tracksuit into a new set of clothes.
Groups of inmates were also seen walking out of Brixton, Durham and Liverpool jails.
Labours scheme allows offenders to be freed after serving 40 per cent of their sentence rather than the previous 50 per cent. But violent offenders handed sentences of less than four years are included in the schemes scope.
Among those eligible will be offenders jailed for child cruelty or neglect, which saw 143 people sentenced to less than four years in 2022 and 2023, as well as 2,200 robbers jailed in the same period.
Adam Andrews, 37, who was jailed for three years in February after his brutal treatment of a 21-day-old baby in June 2018, is being set free.
His victim, left blind and paralysed, now suffers up to 40 seizures a day and needs round-the-clock care.
His mother described how she burst into tears after learning Andrews is to be freed early.
Adam Andrews, 37, who was jailed for three years in February after shaking a 21-day-old boy so violently he was left blind and paralysed, is due to be released
Shane Riley, who said he enjoyed attacking his partner after she broke off their relationship will also be free after serving barely nine months of his sentence
Not only has this process taken almost six years to get a sentence – and he was given such a lenient sentence in the first place – and now this is being used in his benefit, she said of Labours early-release scheme.
If he is not classed as a serious offender for almost taking my childs life away, then who is?
I dont think members of the public actually understand that people like him – people who hurt children, who do the most horrific crimes against a child – will be released.
Andrews, of Great Whelnetham, Suffolk, was convicted of GBH without intent. The housing association worker has never explained why he lost control with the infant, who has a significantly reduced life expectancy.
Shane Riley, 44, of Swansea, may also be eligible for release after serving barely nine months of a 23-month sentence.
He admitted assault causing actual bodily harm, common assault, making threats to kill and criminal damage after headbutting, punching and kicking his former partner after she broke up with him.
In the Commons yesterday Lib Dem MP Lee Dillon asked the Justice Secretary to confirm that no dangerous criminals would be released early. Ms Mahmood replied: We have taken every measure available to exclude offences from this measure. That includes serious violence, sexual violence, offences connected to domestic abuse . . . as are terror offences.
Challenged by Tory MP Neil OBrien over the early release of those convicted of manslaughter Ms Mahmood added: The offences and the sentences are both taken into account.
Ms Mahmood also said some freed criminals could end up being housed in hotels at the taxpayers expense, to avoid them being released homeless. Asked by shadow justice secretary Edward Argar if hotels will be used, she told MPs she had authorised probation chiefs to make appropriate provision.
