The family of two children who died when a drug and drunk driver crashed into their car on the M4 has welcomed news that his prison sentence is set to be reviewed.
Heartbroken mum Rhiannon Lucas has welcomed a review into the "soft sentence" on a van driver who killed her two children - and vowed: "I will never give up fighting for justice."
The 25-year-old called for a change in the law over the tragic deaths of Gracie-Ann, four, and brother Jayden-Lee, three, after being killed by a drugged and drunk driver.
Her family were outraged when driver Martin Newman was sentenced to nine years and four months - meaning he will be free in little more than four years.
The Attorney General's Office has now confirmed that an appeal to the sentence has been received under the 'Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme'.
The family were returning from a birthday party when their car was hit by painter and decorator Newman, 41, while he was drink and drug driving in his white Ford Transit van.
Newman swerved across three lanes of the M4 motorway before hitting the family's red Ford Fiesta while it was stationary in the hard shoulder.
The scheme means members of the public can ask for sentencing to be examined within 28 days of it being handed down.
What has been said about the sentencing?
Speaking following the sentencing, Rhiannon said: "His nine year sentence is completely inadequate and pathetic. He has killed two children. He should be serving a life sentence for what he has done, although no sentence will ever be enough.
"The law needs changing and sentences for crimes like this should be much, much tougher.
"I will not stop fighting for his sentence to be increased and I welcome this review of his sentence by the Attorney General.”
The family has now set up a petition calling for a tougher sentence and have received over 3,000 signatures.
Rhiannon added: “Martin Newman’s utterly selfish actions stole the lives of my children and destroyed our family forever.
“I am totally heartbroken I have lost not one, but both, of my precious children. They were my absolute joy and reason for living.
“I wake up thinking I am in a dream but I’m not. I am living in a nightmare. I feel totally lost without my babies. I loved them with all my heart and my heart is now totally broken.
“I have got photographs all around the house of Gracie-Ann and Jayden-Lee and this is my only comfort.
“I am never going to hear their laughter or see the joy in their beautiful faces ever again. They loved life and were so loved."
What happened in court?
A court heard the family, of Tredegar, South Wales, had been at a birthday party and were on their way for a family day out.
They had pulled over onto the hard should near Tredegar Park in Newport, Gwent, on February 5 when Gracie-Ann "needed to stop for a wee."
The court heard Newman had been drinking double vodka and lemonades with workmates the night before the crash.
He was staying at a hotel near Leicester for work when went back to his room and drank ten cans of Strongbow and took cocaine until 5am.
Dad-of-two Newman attempted to go to work the following morning but was too "tired, drained and hungover."
He then decided to make the journey back to South Wales with a bottle of wine in his cup holder while he took sips for his "dry mouth."
Witnesses spotted Newman "glued to his phone" behind the wheel as he was embroiled in a heated argument with his ex-partner.
Emergency services rushed to the scene to find Newman crying with blood on his hands and smelling of alcohol.
Newman told police: "I want to f***ing die" and also said: "I shouldn't have been in a rush to get home."
Both children suffered catastrophic brain injuries in the crash while mum Rhiannon suffered rib fractures and a torn liver.
Gracie-Ann died at 4.45am the following day while brother Jayden-Lee died five days later at the University of Wales Hospital in Cardiff.
Newman, of Croeserw, near Neath, pleaded guilty to causing the deaths of the children by dangerous driving. He also admitted seriously injuring their mother by dangerous driving.
He also admitted driving while above the alcohol and drug limit.
Judge Daniel Williams said the maximum sentence was 14 years but Newman was entitled to a reduction for his early guilty plea.
The judge said: "Many think such a sentence is inadequate to reflect what you have done and there will be many who will call for that maximum sentence to be re-examined. That is not a matter for any court but Parliament."
A spokesman for the Attorney General's Office said: “We have received a request for this sentence to be considered under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme.
"The Law Officers have 28 days from sentencing to consider the case and make a decision.”
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