Mother condemns release of driver who killed her two children on M4 after half of sentence

Mixed · 2Rhiannon Lucas, 30, from Tredegar, has condemned the justice system as a "disgrace" after Martin Newman, 45, was released from prison having served half of his nine-year, four-month sentence for killing her two children. 1 2 Mixed · 2Her children, Gracie-Ann, four, and Jayden-Lee, three, died after Newman drove his Ford Transit van into the family's stationary car on the M4 near Newport, South Wales, on 5 February 2022. 2 1 Mixed · 2Both children suffered catastrophic brain injuries and died in intensive care at the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff; the Mirror reports Gracie-Ann died the day after the crash and Jayden-Lee on 11 February. Ms Lucas suffered a fractured rib and torn liver, according to the Mail. 2 1

Mixed · 2The court heard Newman had taken cocaine and drunk heavily the night before, then drove home from Leicester with wine in the vehicle; the Mirror says he was twice the legal limit, and the Mail says witnesses saw him "glued to his phone" during an argument with his ex-partner. 2 1 Mixed · 2Newman, from Croeserw, Neath Port Talbot, admitted two counts of causing death by dangerous driving and one of causing serious injury by dangerous driving. He was sentenced at Cardiff Crown Court in April 2022 and banned from driving for 14 years and eight months. 2 1 Right · 1The Mail reports the family's request for the sentence to be reviewed as unduly lenient was denied, and that Newman was moved to an open prison after two years. 2

Mixed · 2Ms Lucas said she had tried all week to reach the parole board without response and learned of the release from a probation officer's call. She called the time served "pathetic" and said she has "a life sentence of my own - one of grief". 2 1 Mixed · 2She said the children's younger sister, Summer-Gracie, now three, will never meet them, and that she is expecting another baby. 1 2 Mixed · 2The Mirror states that Newman's release was not under the Government's early release scheme. A Ministry of Justice spokesperson expressed sympathy, said offenders released on licence face strict conditions or recall, and said death by drunk or dangerous driving offences have been blocked from recent sentencing changes. 1 2