Gordon Gault's killer to be freed early due to "prison population" issues
The mum of 14-year-old Gordon Gault says there has been no justice for her son after finding out that his killer is set to be freed early.
Last updated 14th Aug 2024
The mother of a teenager who was stabbed with a machete in Newcastle is devastated that one of his killers could be freed early as the prison's are too full.
Dionne Barrett received a letter from the Ministry of Justice saying that due to law changes some prisoners are now eligible for release after serving just 40% of their sentence.
Dionne Barrett said: "It's like fair enough let people out for lesser crimes but for someone to be let out for manslaughter is just devastating when he was only sentenced in March this year.
"I think that I went through every single emotion. I went through anger, crying, everything. It's just so sad to know that he's getting released so soon.
"Knife crime is just getting out of hand and there's more and more. It seems to be more teenage kids that are carrying. There needs to be more stop and searches."
Gordon Gault, 14, died in hospital six days after he was attacked with a machete in the Elswick area of Newcastle in November 2022.
Lawson Natty, 18, and Carlos Neto, 18, were both convicted of manslaughter and unlawful wounding at Newcastle Crown Court.
As part of the scheme Natty is to be freed from jail after only a year and three months in prison.
Gordon's mum believes that it is sending out the wrong message about knife crime.
A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said: “The Government has had to take action to ensure we have enough prison places so police can continue to take dangerous criminals off the streets and keep the public safe.
“All offenders released on licence are subject to strict conditions and we do not hesitate to recall them to custody if they break the rules.”