The father of Elle Edwards, a beautician murdered on Christmas Eve 2022, has voiced strong disapproval of a government scheme that could lead to the early release of a man who aided her killer. Tim Edwards described the potential release of Thomas Waring, who was jailed for assisting gunman Connor Chapman, as a "massive kick in the teeth."
Waring was sentenced to nine years in July 2023 after being convicted of possessing a prohibited weapon and helping Chapman dispose of the stolen vehicle used in the shooting. He is slated for release in October, having served just over three years of his sentence, less than half of the original term.
"I did write to Andy Burnham last week and I asked him to just look at the criteria that people are going to be under or fit to get the early release and there was no response," Tim Edwards stated. He expressed frustration with what he perceives as a lack of consideration for victims' families, suggesting the Ministry of Justice is focused on "number crunching."
Chapman, who fired a Skorpion sub-machine gun into a group outside the Lighthouse pub in Wallasey, Merseyside, killing Elle Edwards, was sentenced to life with a minimum of 48 years. The murder weapon has not been recovered, a fact that troubles Edwards, who fears Waring could re-offend upon release.
The early release initiative, announced in July 2024 by what the notes refer to as Sir Keir Starmer's government, aims to address prison overcrowding. However, it faced public backlash, particularly over proposals to release individuals convicted of serious crimes. The Prime Minister subsequently paused the controversial plans and ordered an urgent review. Following this review, rapists and the most serious sex offenders have been excluded from the early release scheme.
Despite the exclusions, the scheme continues to draw criticism. Kemi Badenoch, leader of the Tory party, argued that the partial withdrawal was insufficient, stating that "Killers, violent offenders, men who have terrorised their partners and more will all still walk out of prison in October thanks to Labour's early release scheme." She added that victims have endured weeks of uncertainty and fear, deserving better than learning their fate through press releases.
Andy Burnham, a key figure in the initiative, acknowledged the "anger, anxiety and distress" the plans have caused victims. He described the exclusion of rapists and serious sex offenders as "significant changes" but conceded that concerns would persist regarding other offenders having their sentences shortened.
Justice Secretary Alex Norris has defended the scheme, indicating the government wishes to "go further" but warned that expanding it would create a "prison capacity crisis." The Prime Minister echoed this sentiment, explaining that further early releases were not possible without risking the collapse of the prison system and jeopardizing public safety.
Martin Jones, HM Chief Inspector of Probation, expressed concerns about potential failures if greater clarity is not provided. He emphasized the critical need for the probation service to have adequate time and information to plan for releases, ensuring individuals are housed appropriately and receive necessary treatments, such as for drug or mental health issues. Without this clarity, Jones warned, "there is a real risk that things will go wrong."