Miriam Lake, a determined advocate for justice, has faced a devastating blow today.
Her stepfather, Michael Egan, who has a long history of abuse against her, was released from prison earlier than expected due to the government’s controversial early release scheme.
This has left Miriam, 47, from Bradwell, shattered and fearful for others in similar situations.
A Childhood Marked by Cruelty
Miriam’s nightmare began at just nine years old, enduring severe abuse at the hands of Egan.
He subjected her to unspeakable horrors—forcing her to lick dog feces off his shoes, burning her with cigarettes, dousing her with cold water while she slept, and kicking her so hard she coughed up blood.
She also endured relentless verbal abuse, with Egan cruelly taunting her and belittling her worth.
Legal Battles and Early Release
Years later, in 2017, Miriam reported Egan to the police as an adult.
Initially, Egan received a suspended sentence for his historic crimes, but this was later increased to four years after a successful appeal.
Despite this, Egan was among approximately 1,700 prisoners released under Labour’s new early release policy, having served only 19 months of his sentence.
Miriam’s Concerns for Other Victims
Miriam is deeply concerned about the impact of this early release policy on other domestic abuse survivors.
She fears it sends a troubling message to both perpetrators and victims.
According to Miriam, the new policy undermines the seriousness of domestic abuse and could deter survivors from coming forward, knowing their abusers might be released after serving only a fraction of their sentences.
The Toll on Miriam’s Life
Miriam’s traumatic experiences have left lasting scars.
She struggles with a panic disorder, affecting her ability to drive and limiting her employment options.
She relies on medication to manage her condition, which was triggered by her abuse.
Despite her ongoing challenges, Miriam has not held her mother, Naomi Mitchell, accountable, recognizing that Naomi was also a victim of Egan’s cruelty.
The Unfolding Aftermath
Following Naomi’s death in 2017, Miriam decided to report Egan’s crimes to the police, hoping to find some closure. She was disheartened when Egan initially received a lenient sentence.
However, the Court of Appeal later increased it to four years.
Yet, the recent news of Egan’s early release has reignited her fears and sense of betrayal.
A Government’s Disheartening Decision
Miriam received a letter from the Ministry of Justice informing her of Egan’s early release under the new scheme.
The letter acknowledged that the news would be distressing but confirmed that Egan met the criteria for early release.
Miriam’s reaction was one of profound disappointment and fear for other victims who might be similarly affected.
A Call for Greater Protection
Miriam’s ordeal highlights the urgent need for a reassessment of policies affecting domestic abuse survivors.
She believes the government’s decision ultimately fails to protect victims and sends a dangerous message to both abusers and those they hurt.
Miriam fears that such policies could lead to more harm and potentially even loss of life among vulnerable individuals.
TDPel Media
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