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Crime

Victims left in the dark after release errors, commissioner warns

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Claire Waxman backs urgent reform after review exposes failures in how victims are notified when offenders are freed by mistake

VICTIMS are still being failed by the justice system when offenders are released in error, the Victims’ Commissioner for England and Wales has warned.

Claire Waxman OBE spoke out after the publication of Dame Lynne Owens’ independent review into releases in error, which was published by the Ministry of Justice on Wednesday (Apr 15). The Government said it had accepted all 33 recommendations in principle and would take forward those that can be delivered within the current spending period.

The review was commissioned after the mistaken release of Hadush Kebatu from HMP Chelmsford, but went on to examine wider problems across the prison and justice system. The Government said recent cases had exposed deep-rooted issues and described the number of release errors as unacceptably high, despite a recent reduction.

According to the Ministry of Justice, there were 179 recorded releases in error from prison between April 2025 and March 2026, a fall of 32 per cent compared with the previous year. Ministers said new checks and a dedicated query unit had already helped prevent further mistakes, while £10m has been committed to digital and AI-based tools aimed at reducing errors.

But Ms Waxman said the review had exposed serious failings in the way victims are informed when offenders are released by mistake.

She said: “Mistaken releases are an appalling failure of our justice system. They cause serious distress to victims and undermine trust and confidence in the justice system.

“Dame Lynne Owens’ report exposes serious failings in how victims are informed when offenders are released in error. In some cases, victims were contacted too late – with one learning through social media – because agencies could not identify which victim contact scheme applied or who was responsible for notifying them.

“I welcome the government’s acceptance of the review and the steps being taken to reduce these errors. But when mistakes do occur, it is paramount that victims are informed first, as quickly as possible and through official channels. Victims should never learn through the media, or by chance, that an offender has been released in error.”

The Victims’ Commissioner said victims should always be told first, as quickly as possible and through official channels, rather than finding out through the media or by chance.

She also backed Dame Lynne’s call for a clear national protocol on victim notification and repeated her own long-standing call for the introduction of a unique victim identifier, which she said would allow agencies to identify, track and contact victims more quickly across the justice system.

Without it, she warned, the system could lose sight of victims at the very moment they most need protection.

The Government said the review’s recommendations covered data and digital systems, governance, process improvements, training and culture. It added that further action would be taken in several areas, with some longer-term reforms dependent on future funding decisions.

The Ministry of Justice said it remained committed to reducing the risk of offenders being released in error and returning figures to pre-prison capacity crisis levels.

 

Crime

Haverfordwest sex offender jailed over child abuse material

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Registered offender used library computers to hide social media accounts

A HAVERFORDWEST sex offender who used public library computers to exchange child abuse material and discuss the sexual abuse of minors has been jailed for 20 months.

Euwyn Draper, aged 22, of Hill Street, Haverfordwest, appeared at Swansea Crown Court after admitting four breaches of a sexual harm prevention order.

Recorder Greg Bull KC told him the courts had “bent over backwards” to assist him in the past, but said those efforts had failed.

He told Draper: “I’m not going to lecture you because I would be wasting my breath. You knew you had to comply with the order.”

Secret accounts

The court heard that Draper had been made subject to a 10-year sexual harm prevention order in 2024 after earlier convictions for possessing and distributing indecent images of children.

The order banned him from holding social media accounts in any name other than his own and required him to disclose relationships or friendships to police when asked.

Despite this, Draper secretly maintained accounts on a number of platforms, including X, formerly Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat and BlueSky. The BlueSky account had been registered under a false name.

His use of Snapchat was specifically prohibited because of the platform’s auto-delete function.

Library computers

Prosecutor Megan Williams said Draper’s latest offending came to light on May 5 this year during a routine meeting with his offender manager at Haverfordwest police station.

When asked about his internet use, Draper claimed he only went to the library to watch YouTube and listen to Spotify. He denied having any social media accounts or communicating with anyone online.

But as questioning continued, he became “flustered” and admitted he had been chatting to a male online and had an X account which had not been disclosed to police.

Officers attended the library with Draper the following day to examine his digital activity.

After he logged in using his library ID and opened his Google account, police reviewed his X profile and found sexually explicit conversations between Draper and another male in which the pair discussed sexual activity involving children aged five and above.

The court heard that explicit photographs had also been exchanged.

Police also discovered that Draper had reinstalled Instagram after previously deleting the account in front of officers.

Previous offending

Draper has three previous convictions for 14 offences.

In April 2024 he was given a suspended prison sentence and made subject to the sexual harm prevention order for possessing and distributing child sex abuse images.

Within months, he breached the order by maintaining an undisclosed social media account. In September 2024 he was jailed for 16 months for possession of further indecent images.

When interviewed about the latest breaches, Draper answered “no comment” to all questions.

‘Immature young man’

Alex Scott, defending, described Draper as an “immature young man” who lived an isolated life in rented accommodation and acted “impulsively” in relation to social media.

He said Draper had co-operated with police by accompanying officers to the library and recognised the need to address the underlying causes of his behaviour.

Jailed

Draper had previously pleaded guilty to four counts of breaching a sexual harm prevention order.

After giving him a one-third discount for his early guilty pleas, Recorder Bull sentenced him to 20 months in prison.

Draper will serve up to half of the sentence in custody before being released on licence to complete the remainder in the community.

 

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Crime

Castlemorris man spared jail after knife confrontation over council tax debt

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A CASTLEMORRIS man has avoided immediate custody after threatening enforcement officers with a knife during an early-morning visit over unpaid council tax.

Simon Coll, 59, was sentenced at Swansea Crown Court after admitting affray and two charges of criminal damage following the incident on February 26 last year.

The court heard that three enforcement officers had gone to Coll’s home at around 6:30am to execute a liability order.

They clamped his van before approaching the property, but were confronted by Coll, who came to the door armed with a large knife.

Officers forced to retreat

Prosecutor Brian Simpson said Coll shouted “Do you want some?” before swinging the blade towards one of the officers.

A second officer was then approached by Coll, causing all three men to retreat to their vehicles.

The court was told one of the officers had previously attempted to recover the debt, but had been chased away after Coll became aggressive.

After the officers returned to their vans, Coll threw what was believed to be a rock or log at one of the vehicles, cracking the windscreen. He also kicked the rear of another van.

Police were called and Dyfed-Powys Police officers arrived at the address within an hour.

Coll later told police he had woken to find three men near his home and claimed he had not realised they were enforcement officers until after they had left and he discovered the clamp on his van.

Damage to vehicles

The court heard the windscreen damage cost £372, while damage to the wheel clamp was valued at £15.

The enforcement officers were said to have been left badly shaken by the incident.

Defending, Andrew Evans said Coll accepted that his behaviour had been unlawful.

Recorder Mark Powell KC told Coll: “Your behaviour that day was disgraceful.

“These are men going about their public duty.

“You behaved in a very aggressive way towards them.

“One of them had a close shave with the large knife you were carrying.”

Coll was sentenced to 18 months in prison, suspended for two years.

He must also pay £290 compensation and complete 10 rehabilitation activity requirement days.

 

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Crime

Boy, 13, arrested after child seriously injured in rugby club fire

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11-year-old rescued from burning container at Trimsaran RFC

A 13-YEAR-OLD boy has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and arson after a fire at a Carmarthenshire rugby club left an 11-year-old boy seriously injured.

The blaze happened at Trimsaran RFC on Saturday afternoon, when a storage container used to keep equipment at the club’s ground was allegedly set alight deliberately.

Dyfed-Powys Police said the younger boy became trapped inside the burning container and had to be rescued by club members.

He was taken to Morriston Hospital with serious injuries, where he remains in a stable condition.

Police have confirmed that a 13-year-old boy has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and arson.

The investigation is ongoing.

 

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