# Mother of two children killed by drunk driver condemns justice system after release from jail

> Mother of two children killed by drunk driver demands justice after being released from jail half way through nine-year sentence.
- Title: Mother of two children killed by drunk driver condemns…
- Summary: Mother of two children killed by drunk driver demands justice after being released from jail half way through nine-year sentence. Rhiannon Lucas, 30, demands…
- Keywords: rhiannon lucas, gracie-ann lucas, jayden-lee lucas, martin newman, neath port talbot, cardiff crown court, drink-drive, cocaine, white ford transit van, nine-year sentence, newport south wales, Mother
- Source: Dailymail — https://dailymail.com/news/article-16202109/mother-demands-justice-drunk-driver-freed-sentence.html?ito=1490&ns_campaign=1490&ns_mchannel=rss
- Published: 2026-10-12T11:53:22+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: rhiannon lucas, gracie-ann lucas, jayden-lee lucas, martin newman, neath port talbot, cardiff crown court, drink-drive, cocaine, white ford transit van, nine-year sentence, m4, newport south wales
## 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
## Key takeaway

Rhiannon Lucas, 30, demands justice after her two children were killed by a drunk driver who was released from jail half way through a nine-year sentence.