Mother outraged as driver who killed her two children released after half his sentence
Rhiannon Lucas says the driver responsible for the 2022 M4 crash that killed her children, Gracie-Ann and Jayden-Lee, has been released after serving four years and three months of a nine-year-four-month term.
In February 2022, a family travelling home from a Frozen-themed event was struck on the M4 when Martin Newman, under the influence of wine and cocaine, crashed into their stationary car, killing siblings Gracie-Ann and Jayden-Lee Lucas. Newman pleaded guilty to two counts of causing death by dangerous driving and one count of causing serious injury, receiving a nine-year-four-month sentence. The Ministry of Justice confirmed he has now been released after serving four years and three months.
Rhiannon Lucas, the children’s mother, described the release as a profound injustice and urged lawmakers to impose life-long bans for drivers who kill while intoxicated. Her father, Jason Lucas, echoed the family’s grief, noting the loss of everyday moments and the enduring pain caused by the early release.
Why it matters
The case highlights public concern over early release policies for dangerous-driving offenders and calls for stricter sentencing.
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