Labour MP demands meeting with Justice minister after thug jailed for manslaughter set to be released early
A senior Labour MP has sought an urgent meeting with a Government minister to ask why a thug convicted for his part in the manslaughter of a Newcastle teenager is being released early from prison next month.
Gordon Gault, 14, died in hospital six days after he was attacked with a blade in Elswick, Newcastle, in November 2022.
Lawson Natty was sentenced to two years and eight months for manslaughter and unlawful wounding.
Last night on GB News Gordon’s mother Dionne Barrett told of her upset that Natty is being released after serving just 40 per cent of his jail term.
Dionne was told by a probation officer in a letter dated Aug 1 that “due to significant issues with the prison population, the Lord Chancellor has announced plans to introduce a change to the law which will allow some prisoners serving a determinate sentence to be released on licence early.
“Prisoners who meet the criteria will be released after serving 40 per cent of their sentence in custody, rather than the 50 per cent they serve now.”
Now Chi Onwurah, Labour MP for Newcastle upon Tyne, has told GB News that she has written to the Ministry of Justice demanding to know why Natty is being released earlier than expected.
Onwurah told GB News in a statement: “The fatal stabbing of Gordon Gault was an appalling crime, and my heart goes out to his mother after her unimaginable loss and continued search for justice. I want to thank GB News for putting us in touch.
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“I raised the case with the Ministry of Justice two weeks ago, based on press reports of Natty’s release, and have been trying to contact Barrett to see how I can support her further.
“The Conservative Government took our prisons to breaking point and failed to deliver the prison capacity we need, leaving the new Labour Government no choice but to take emergency measures to stop the total collapse of law and order.
“While sentences for violent crimes over four years are excluded, I understand that Natty’s conviction for manslaughter for supplying the machete was accompanied by a shorter sentence.
“I am urgently seeking an explanation from the Ministry of Justice about this case and also how we can better support victims’ families through this process, including what steps the Probation Service will be taking to monitor people released on licence.
“I know there has been misinformation on social media saying Natty has only served six months; if he is released in September, he will have spent 14 and a half months in jail since the offence.”
A Ministry of Justice spokesman 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.”