Blaenau Gwent mum’s anger after drink-driver who killed two children released

A 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.”