Rhiannon Lucas

Rhiannon Lucas, 30, lost her daughter Gracie-Ann, four, and son Jayden-Lee, three, in a crash on the M4 near Newport, South Wales, on February 5, 2022.

Martin Newman

Martin Newman, 45, was over the drink-drive limit and had cocaine in his system when he ploughed into the family's stationary car in his white Ford Transit van.

Sentence

Newman admitted two counts of causing death and one count of causing serious injury by dangerous driving, and was jailed for nine years and four months in April 2022.

Parole

Newman was transferred to an open prison after serving two years of his sentence and walked free last week after serving half of his sentence.

Family Impact

Gracie-Ann and Jayden-Lee sustained catastrophic brain injuries and later died in hospital, leaving behind their grief-stricken mother Rhiannon Lucas and her partner Adam Saunders.

Lucas's Reaction

Lucas slammed the justice system as a 'disgrace' and said, 'Just four pathetic years in jail for killing my two children.'

“Just four pathetic years in jail for killing my two children”

Lucas's Plea

Lucas demanded justice after Newman was released, stating, 'He's a free man to do whatever he pleases while my two babies are lying in a grave.'

“He's a free man to do whatever he pleases while my two babies are lying in a grave”

Lucas's Grief

Lucas said, 'I'll never hold my children again or hear their laughter again because of his selfish actions that day.'

“I'll never hold my children again or hear their laughter again because of his selfish actions that day”

Lucas's Future

Lucas will never meet her children's little sister Summer-Gracie, who is now three-years-old, and is expecting another baby who will never meet her siblings.

Lucas's Words

Lucas described Newman's sentence as 'pathetic' and said, 'He has killed two children. He should be serving a life sentence for what he has done.'

“He has killed two children. He should be serving a life sentence for what he has done”

Newman's Actions

Newman had been drinking double vodka and lemonades with workmates the night before the crash and was staying at a hotel near Leicester for work.

Newman's State

Newman was too 'tired, drained and hungover' the next morning and decided to make the journey back to South Wales with a bottle of wine in his cup holder.

Newman's Behavior

Newman was spotted 'glued to his phone' behind the wheel and was embroiled in a heated argument with his ex-partner.

Newman's Statement

Newman told police, 'I want to f***ing die' and also said, 'I shouldn't have been in a rush to get home.'

“I want to f***ing die”

Lucas's Final Words

Lucas said, 'Their little sister Summer-Gracie will never know them, and I am expecting another baby who will never meet their siblings.'

“Their little sister Summer-Gracie will never know them, and I am expecting another baby who will never meet their siblings”