The mother of two children who were killed in a crash has expressed her outrage over news that the driver responsible could soon be walking the streets again. Rhiannon Lucas said that she was disgusted to learn that Martin Newman was being moved to an open prison only 25 miles from her home. Newman was responsible for the deaths of Gracie-Ann Lucas, 4, and Jayden Lee, 3, in a collision on the M4 motorway.
According to Lucas, the news has been difficult for her to process. Newman was sentenced to nine years in jail yet Lucas feels as though he only served half of it, and that he should have completed the full sentence. She feels that it is outrageous that he could be released so early after causing the deaths of two young children. Lucas also suffered serious injuries in the same collision.
Newman was found to have been drinking vodka and consuming cocaine and 10 cans of cider until 5:00am on the morning of the crash. Too hungover to work, he decided to drive from Leicester to his home in Neath Port Talbot. While he was en route, he sipped red wine at the wheel. Newman was twice over the legal drink drive limit and when the incident occurred, there were traces of cocaine in his system.
Lucas stated that Newman has never apologised for his actions. The family of Gracie-Ann and Jayden Lee are devastated by what happened and the fact that Newman may soon be eligible for day releases to visit with his own family has come as a massive blow. The family is experiencing difficulties in coming to terms with their loss and believes that the punishment handed down to Newman was not severe enough
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