Suffolk MP says man who committed ‘vicious attack’ on baby should not be released from jail early
Ipswich’s new MP, Jack Abbott, has written to the new lord chancellor and minister for justice
Last updated 13th Sep 2024
A Suffolk MP has called for the release of a man who committed a ‘vicious attack’ on a baby to be reconsidered by the Minister of Justice.
Ipswich’s new MP, Jack Abbott, has written to the new lord chancellor and minister for justice, Shabana Mahmood, asking her to reconsider the release of a convicted criminal as thousands are set to leave prison early.
In July, Ms Mahmood announced the incoming Labour Government would introduce an early release scheme to address overcrowding in prisons across the country.
This meant certain custodial sentences would be reduced from 50 per cent to 40 per cent, with safeguards and exemptions in place to keep the public safe.
One of those set to be released is Adam Andrews, of Raynsford Road in Great Whelnetham, near Bury St Edmunds, who was convicted in February of grievous bodily harm without intent for violently shaking a 21-day-old baby so hard he now needs constant care.
It took six years for Mr Andrews to be convicted at Ipswich Crown Court for the 2018 incident, with him now being eligible for release due to his offence being shorter than four years.
Mr Abbott said although he recognised the need for the scheme due to the previous Government’s ‘gross negligence’ of the prison system, he was still ‘deeply concerned’ Mr Andrews was being released early.
“The consequences of Mr Andrews’ crime are horrific"
He added: “The consequences of Mr Andrews’ crime are horrific — his vicious attack on a small baby has resulted in the baby having between 30 to 40 seizures a day, requiring constant care and a significantly reduced life expectancy.
“Mr Andrews’ vicious attack meant he was rightfully put behind bars, but I cannot imagine the pain that family have had to go through since that tragic day in 2018.”
In his letter, Mr Abbott also asked for some clarity on the support in place for victims of crime and their families, the extra safeguards for communities, the projected end of the scheme, the measures in place to prevent re-offending and the Government’s long-term plans to ensure the situation does not repeat itself.
Mr Abbott also said: “I know the early release scheme decision was not an easy one for the new Government, and I appreciate that the unforgivable failure of the previous administration has forced your hand.
“Nonetheless, I encourage you to do all you can to ensure our communities are safe and repair our justice system so no more families go through the pain of seeing criminals like Mr Andrews released from their sentence.”
What does the Government say?
A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said:
“This Government inherited a justice system on the verge of collapse. The worst possible outcome for victims would have been to allow this to happen. Dangerous criminals would have walked the streets with impunity, knowing the police would not have been able to arrest them, because there would have been no prison cell waiting for them.
“We have been forced into taking difficult but necessary action, with safeguards in place, so we can keep locking up offenders and protect the public.
“Those released under this scheme will be subject to full probation supervision and will in many cases face tough restrictions such as tags, curfews and exclusion zones.”