Drink-driver on drugs ‘devastated our family’
THE family of two young children killed in a motorway crash caused by a drink-driver have said they are “devastated” and “angry” after he was sentenced to just nine years in prison.
Judge Daniel Williams acknowledged that many will feel the sentence he passed on Martin Newman, 41, from Croeserw, at Cardiff Crown Court yesterday is “inadequate”.
But said he was unable to impose a harsher term due to sentencing laws set by Parliament.
Darren Lucas, uncle of the siblings’ mum, Rhiannon Lucas, told PA news agency: “We’re just absolutely devastated. He should have got a lot longer than that.
“The sentence wasn’t harsh enough for taking the lives of two children while drunk and on drugs and everything else. The law needs to change. The family will be appealing to get a heavier sentence. We’re going to start campaigning to get the law changed and do the best by the memory of these children so that something like this doesn’t happen again.”
In a statement released by the family after the hearing, they said: “On Saturday, February 5, Martin Newman devastated our family by taking our two beautiful children, Gracie-ann and Jayden-lee.
“Our family home now feels like an empty shell without them and the love and happiness they brought us cannot ever be replaced. Our lives have been destroyed. He chose to drive his vehicle under the influence of drink and drugs and these actions displayed a total disregard for anyone’s safety and we have paid the ultimate price for his unlawful and unsociable acts.
“We hope today’s sentence will act as a deterrent to anyone who may consider driving in a dangerous manner especially while being intoxicated through drink and drugs and distracted by a mobile telephone. No prison sentence that a court can impose will ever be enough and will never bring back Gracie-ann and Jayden-lee.
“We would like to thank the Welsh
Ambulance Service, Wales Air Ambulance and the University Hospital of Wales for their professionalism and expertise which gave the children the best possible chance of survival with the utmost compassion.
“The treatment that Gracie and Jayden received in our eyes was world class and our hearts go out to all these wonderful people.
“Furthermore we would like to thank the investigation team at Gwent Police in their determination to bring Newman to justice with the overwhelming evidence that they have presented to the court and the support we have received.
“Finally, a heartfelt thanks to the community of Tredegar and wider Wales for the help and support we have received from day one.”