A MACHINE thug and a young man who paralyzed a boy are understood to be among the next round of prisoners to be released early in a controversial plan.
More than 1,600 prisoners were released yesterday in a government bid to free up space in Britain’s overcrowded prisons.
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Machete thief Lawson Natty, 18 Credit: Northumbria Police
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Natty delivered the machete used to kill 14-year-old Gordon Gault, pictured Credit: PA
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Baby abuser Adam Andrews, 37, has also been releasedCredit: East Anglia News Service
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A laggard splashing champagne as he left HMP Wandsworth yesterday
Scenes outside prisons across the country showed freed inmates celebrating, with one being picked up by a Lamborghini.
With thousands more set to be freed over the next 18 months – including some convicted of manslaughter – others warn it will only be a matter of time before they re-offend and are back behind bars.
Among those due to be released is Lawson Natty, who supplied the machete used to kill 14-year-old Gordon Gault in Newcastle in 2022.
Natty, 18, was convicted of manslaughter this March and sentenced to two years and eight months in prison.
But now he is set to be released early as part of a Justice Department plan.
Gordon’s mum Dionne Barrett said she was “sickened” at the prospect of Natty walking free before serving his full sentence.
She told Good Morning Britain: “I am absolutely sickened that he has now been allowed out after only a few months in prison.
“It’s absolutely gut-wrenching. He’ll be out in the next few days. He’ll be back on the street.
“Honestly, let the petty criminals out. Not someone who killed a 14-year-old kid.
Former Scotland Yard detective Peter Blakesley condemned the early release of nearly 2,000 prisoners
“Someone who buys machetes. What if he does it again to someone else?”
Natty served time in custody that counts toward his prison sentence.
It is learned that he was transferred to an immigration detention center.
Adam Andrews, 37, is also due to be released “soon” after being jailed for three years in March.
The robber was convicted for the brutal treatment of a 21-day-old boy in 2018.
His victim was left blind and paralyzed – and now has 40 seizures a day.
A toddler has a much shorter lifespan and needs 24-hour care.
His mother told the Telegraph: “Not only did this process take almost six years to be sentenced.
“He got such a light sentence at first – and now it’s being used to his advantage.
“If he is not classified as a serious offender for almost taking my children, then who is?
“I don’t think the citizens really understand that people like him will be released.
People who hurt children, who commit the most terrible crimes against a child.
Andrews, of Great Whelnetham, Suffolk, was convicted of GBH without intent.
He never explained why he brutally shook the helpless boy.
Shane Riley, 44, could also be freed after serving just nine months of his 23-month sentence.
Swansea man Riley has admitted punching, kicking and headbutting his ex-partner after she broke up with him.
The beast was jailed for assault occasioning actual bodily harm, common assault, threatening to kill and criminal damage.
Labour’s scheme allows for release after they serve 40 per cent of their sentence, rather than 50 per cent as previously.
Violent offenders sentenced to sentences of less than four years are included in the scheme.
More than 140 children sentenced to prison for child cruelty or neglect will also be eligible for early release.
2,200 robbers sentenced to less than four years will also be included.
Justice Minister Shabana Mahmood told the Commons: “We have taken every possible measure to exclude criminal offenses from this measure.
“This includes serious violence, sexual violence, crimes related to domestic abuse, terrorist crimes.
Speaking about the acquittal of those convicted of murder, she said: “Both crimes and punishments are taken into account.”
The Ministry of Justice and the Parole Commission have been contacted for comment.
Falling behind – what happens now?
From JULIA ATHERLEY, Home Affairs Correspondent
On a day when we saw drug dealers and violent criminals splashing champagne and dancing outside prisons, you might be wondering: what happens now?
More than 1,700 offenders were released from prisons across the country today as part of a government plan to tackle overcrowding behind bars.
But while criminals celebrate getting out weeks or months earlier than planned, it’s the victims who could pay the true price of this controversial policy.
Many are not told that their perpetrators will return to the community, leaving them blindsided and fearful of what might happen next.
Although it was promised that domestic abusers would be exempt from the policy, we know that some have probably slipped through the net.
Chief Inspector of Prisons Charlie Taylor has already warned that it is “certain” that some of those released today will re-offend.
On average, a third of all those released from prison commit a new crime within a year of release.
Many prisoners released today could find themselves without anywhere to sleep tonight, despite the Ministry of Justice reportedly providing up to 12 weeks of accommodation for all those at risk of homelessness after release.
While many prisoners celebrated their freedom today, some were pessimistic about their ability to stay on the right side of the law.
After serving short sentences in overcrowded prisons with little prospect of rehabilitation, it’s only a matter of time before they find themselves behind bars again.
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Scenes at Pentonville Prison as people wait for prisoners to be released Credit: EPA
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1600 prisoners were released yesterday Credit: Paul Edwards
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