Mum’s anger as drink and drug driver who killed two children released from prison

HomeNewsUS & CanadaUKUK PoliticsEnglandN. IrelandN. Ireland PoliticsScotlandScotland PoliticsWalesWales PoliticsAfricaAsiaChinaIndiaAustraliaEuropeLatin AmericaMiddle EastIn PicturesBBC InDepthBBC VerifySportBusinessWorld of BusinessTechnology of BusinessNYSE Opening BellTechnologyWatch DocumentariesArtificial IntelligenceIntelligence RevolutionAI v the MindTech NowHealthWatch DocumentariesCultureWatch DocumentariesFilm & TVMusicArt & DesignStyleBooksEntertainment NewsArtsWatch DocumentariesArts in MotionTravelWatch DocumentariesDestinationsAfricaAntarcticaAsiaAustralia and PacificCaribbean & BermudaCentral AmericaEuropeMiddle EastNorth AmericaSouth AmericaWorld’s TableCulture & ExperiencesAdventuresThe SpeciaListTo the Ends of the Earth EarthWatch DocumentariesScienceNatural WondersClimate SolutionsSustainable BusinessGreen LivingAudioPodcast CategoriesRadioAudio FAQsVideoWatch DocumentariesBBC MaestroDiscover the WorldLiveLive NewsLive SportDocumentariesSite searchHomeNewsSportBusinessTechnologyHealthCultureArtsTravelEarthAudioVideoLiveDocumentariesWeatherNewslettersMum's anger as drink and drug driver who killed two children released from prison16 minutes agoShareSaveAdd as preferred on GoogleAngharad ThomasBBC WalesRhiannon LucasJayden-Lee and Gracie-Ann Lucas died after the family car was hit on the hard shoulder of the M4A mother has described the justice system as a "disgrace" after a driver who killed her two children was released from prison after serving less than half his sentence.

Martin Newman, 45, killed four-year-old Gracie-Ann and Jayden-Lee, three, after crashing his van into the family's stationary car on the M4 near Newport on 5 February 2022.

Rhiannon Lucas, 30, said Newman – who had been drinking red wine while driving and had traces of cocaine in his system – had been released halfway through his sentence of nine years and four months.

The Ministry of Justice said any offenders released on licence "must abide by strict conditions or risk being sent back to prison."

Rhiannon, from Tredegar in Blaenau Gwent, said it was "pathetic" Newman had only served half of his sentence.

"He's a free man to do whatever he pleases while my two babies are lying in a grave," she said.

"The justice system is a disgrace."

She added that she was "very angry" and had been trying to speak with the parole board.

Newman has not been released as part of the government's early prison release scheme.

"Today the probation officer called me and told me he has been released from jail," Rhiannon said.

"I'll never hold my children again or hear their laughter again because of his selfish actions that day."

Rhiannon said Gracie-Ann and Jayden-Lee's sister, Summer-Gracie, who is now three, would "never get to meet her siblings who would have loved her so much".

"He destroyed my family and now he's a free man."

Newman, from Croeserw, Neath Port Talbot, had been taking cocaine and drank vodka and 10 cans of cider until 05:00 on the day of the crash.

His court case heard because he was too hungover and tired to work, he decided to make the drive home to Neath Port Talbot from Leicester, where he had been employed as a painter and decorator.

He had been drinking red wine while driving, was twice over the drink-driving limit, and had traces of cocaine in his system when he crashed his Ford Transit van into the family's red Ford Fiesta.

The family had pulled over on the motorway because Gracie had been feeling unwell while returning from a birthday party.

The children were taken to the intensive care unit of University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff. Rhiannon and the children's father were also taken to hospital.

Gracie-Ann suffered a cardiac arrest due to the severity of her injuries and died the following day. Jayden died on 11 February.

Newman admitted two counts of causing death by dangerous driving and one count 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.

Rhiannon said she was now expecting another baby "who will never meet their siblings".

"Instead, I have two graves to visit on birthdays and Christmas and all the milestones my children will never see," she said.

"I've got a life sentence of my own – one of grief, while he is free to live his life."

A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said: "This was a devastating crime, and our deepest sympathies go out to the victims' loved ones.

"Release does not mean freedom. Any offender released on licence must abide by strict conditions or risk being sent back to prison.

"We have blocked death by drunk or dangerous driving offences from recent sentencing changes, so hundreds more offenders stay behind bars for longer."