A mother whose two young children were killed by a drink and drug driver has condemned the justice system after the man responsible was released from prison halfway through his sentence.
Rhiannon Lucas, 30, lost her daughter, Gracie-Ann, four, and son, Jayden-Lee, three, in a collision on the M4 near Newport, South Wales, on February 5, 2022.
Martin Newman, 45, was jailed for nine years and four months in April 2022 after admitting two counts of causing death by dangerous driving and one count of causing serious injury by dangerous driving.
He was also disqualified from driving for 14 years and eight months.
Newman, from Croeserw in Neath Port Talbot, was over the legal alcohol limit and had cocaine in his system when his white Ford Transit van struck the family’s stationary Ford Fiesta.
Ms Lucas has now expressed anger after learning that Newman was released last week, having served approximately half of his prison sentence.
Rhiannon Lucas Calls Sentence ‘Pathetic’
Speaking about his release, Ms Lucas described the justice system as a disgrace and questioned how Newman could regain his freedom after taking the lives of her two children.
“Just four pathetic years in jail for killing my two children,” she said.
“He’s a free man to do whatever he pleases while my two babies are lying in a grave.”
She also criticised the lack of communication surrounding his release, explaining that she had spent the week attempting to contact the parole board without receiving a response.
“Today the probation officer called me and told me he has been released from jail,” she said.
Ms Lucas added that she would never again be able to hold her children or hear their laughter because of Newman’s actions.
She had previously described his original sentence as inadequate, arguing in 2022 that a nine-year term did not reflect the seriousness of killing two young children.
“His nine year sentence is completely inadequate and pathetic. He has killed two children.
He should be serving a life sentence for what he has done, although no sentence will ever be enough,” she said at the time.
The family’s attempt to have the sentence reviewed as unduly lenient was unsuccessful.
Children Died From Catastrophic Brain Injuries
Gracie-Ann and Jayden-Lee suffered catastrophic brain injuries in the collision and were taken to the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff, where they later died in intensive care.
Their mother also sustained serious injuries, including a fractured rib and a torn liver.
Ms Lucas had been travelling home from a birthday party with her partner, Adam Saunders, and the children when the family stopped their Ford Fiesta on the motorway’s hard shoulder so Gracie-Ann could use the toilet.
The vehicle was stationary when Newman’s van struck it.
Driver Had Consumed Alcohol and Cocaine Before Collision
The court heard that Newman had spent the previous evening drinking with workmates while staying at a hotel near Leicester for work.
He had consumed double vodka and lemonades before returning to his room, where he drank ten cans of Strongbow and took cocaine, continuing until around 5am.
Newman attempted to go to work the following morning but reportedly felt too tired, drained and hungover.
He subsequently decided to drive back to South Wales.
He had a bottle of wine in his cup holder and admitted taking sips because his mouth felt dry.
Witnesses also reported seeing Newman apparently glued to his phone while driving.
He was involved in a heated argument with his former partner at the time.
Emergency services arriving at the scene found him crying, with blood on his hands and smelling of alcohol.
Newman told police: “I want to f***ing die.”
He also said: “I shouldn’t have been in a rush to get home.”
Mother Faces Family Milestones Without Her Children
Ms Lucas has spoken about the difficulty of living with the loss of her children while Newman is no longer in prison.
Her youngest daughter, Summer-Gracie, who is now three, will never have the opportunity to meet her older siblings.
Ms Lucas is also expecting another baby who will never meet them.
She described the birthdays, Christmas celebrations and other family milestones she must now face without Gracie-Ann and Jayden-Lee.
“Their little sister Summer-Gracie will never know them, and I am expecting another baby who will never meet their siblings,” she said.
“Instead, I have two graves to visit on birthdays and Christmas and all the milestones my children will never see.
“I’ve got a life sentence of my own — one of grief, while he is free to live his life.”
