Ipswich MP Jack Abbott concerned by early release scheme

Adam Andrews, 37, of Raynsford Road in Great Whelnetham, near Bury St Edmunds, was convicted of grievous bodily harm without intent and sentenced to three years in February following an incident that took place on June 28, 2018.

In court, a judge said the baby's injuries were inflicted by "violent shaking" and prosecutor Steven Perian KC said Andrews had shown “absolutely no remorse” for his actions. 

Adam Andrews, who was jailed after being convicted of grievous bodily harm without intent (Image: Suffolk Police)

Despite this, the baby's mother, who has asked to remain anonymous, has been told that Andrews is set to leave prison early as part of a new government scheme that aims to ease pressure in the prison system - news she said left her and her family devastated. 

Jack Abbott, Labour MP for Ipswich, has now written to the Secretary of State for Justice Shabana Mahmood voicing his concerns.

In the letter he said he recognised the government had "little option" but to introduce the scheme due to the "gross negligence" of the previous Conservative government. 

However, he said he is "deeply concerned" about the planned early release of Andrews and described the consequences of his crimes as "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," he said.

"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. 

"Having already had to wait for six years for Mr Andrews to be sentenced at Ipswich Crown Court, to see him released early from what many already consider to be an unduly lenient sentence must be a terrible ordeal for the victim's family."

Ipswich MP Jack Abbott (Image: Paul Geater)

Mr Abbott also requested several updates including what extra support is being offered to victims and families, what extra safeguards are being put in in communities like Ipswich in light of early releases and what steps are being taken to prevent re-offending.

Following the publication of the letter, the mother of Andrews' victim said she is grateful and emotional that Mr Abbott has taken the time to highlight the case.

"I think that I am really grateful to be honest with you, just extremely grateful that he has taken the time to support the family," she said.

"It is really important to us as a family that our boy is heard and we are his voice, so it is amazing that someone is listening to our story and listening to us. Now he can help to be my son's voice too.

"I do feel emotional - I feel like we've done something positive by talking about it," she added.

In July, Ms Mahmood revealed the proportion of certain custodial sentences served in prison is set to reduce as prisons are "on the point of collapse".

She unveiled plans to temporarily reduce the proportion of certain custodial sentences served in prison from 50% to 40%, with safeguards in place to manage offenders in the community.

The scheme will exclude those who have been sentenced for serious violent offences of four years or more, sex offences, and domestic abuse connected crimes including stalking and controlling or coercive behaviours.

The government said those released will be "strictly monitored on licence by the Probation Service" and the Lord Chancellor has set out plans to recruit more than 1,000 extra trainee probation officers by March next year.