Victim Urges PM To Block Early Release For Child Abusers As Scheme Is Paused

Steve Lewsey, who has waived his right to anonymity, says he will write to Prime Minister Andy Burnham asking for an amendment to the Sentencing Act to prevent serious offenders from being released early. Lewsey, 53, a bus driver from Burgess Hill, West Sussex, said an early release for Glenn Langrish would undermine what he and other victims have endured after Langrish was jailed for 15 years in 2024 for multiple historic child sex offences.

Victim Fallout and Calls for Change

Lewsey welcomed Mr Burnham's announcement of an "urgent review" into the government's early prisoner release scheme but remained sceptical that victims' interests would be fully protected. "I am serving a life sentence for what this vile man did to me," he told reporters. "Whilst I understand that the prison system is struggling, how on earth can a predatory and serial child sexual offender be considered for early release? It utterly undermines all that I and his other victims have been through and are still living through today."

Glenn Langrish was jailed for 15 years in 2024 for multiple historic child sex offences [Sussex Police]

Timeline And Case Details

According to Lewsey, Langrish worked in Crawley during the 1980s and only stopped abusing after he was jailed in 1989 for unrelated child sex offences. After release he moved to Sweden, changed his name to Glenn Stephens and obtained Swedish citizenship, which initially protected him from extradition to the UK. An international arrest warrant was issued, and after he was located in Poland in May 2023 he was returned to the UK and arrested at Heathrow Airport. He was later jailed for 15 years in 2024 for multiple historic child sex offences.

What The Early Release Scheme Would Do

Under the proposed early prisoner release scheme, some offenders serving fixed-term sentences could be eligible for release after serving one third of their sentence rather than one half. The policy, announced by Sir Keir Starmer's government in July 2024, was intended to free up space in overcrowded prisons. The Ministry of Justice previously described the custodial estate as "in crisis" and framed the measure as part of wider reforms to ease pressure on prison capacity.

Justice Secretary Alex Norris and Prime Minister Andy Burnham have early release plans for some prisoners [Getty Images]

Government Response And Political Fallout

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has paused the planned September rollout of the scheme pending an urgent review. Justice Secretary Alex Norris said the pause was to ensure victims' views are "at the heart" of implementation. Mr Norris added: "The Prime Minister and I have heard from victims and survivors, and from people across the country, about their concerns about the implementation of some very important elements of the Sentencing Act."

Lewsey said he had been assured Langrish would not be released early but described the situation as confusing and distressing. He also criticised a reported exchange in which Defence Minister Wes Streeting joked that Mr Norris "wants to let them all out" during a conversation with Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood and Mr Norris. Mr Burnham called the remark inappropriate and apologies have been made. Streeting apologised, and Mahmood said she did not want "anyone to mistake this moment of levity for a lack of serious intent."

Justice Secretary Alex Norris: "The public doesn't want to see a situation, and we absolutely will not allow a situation, where a person who needs a prison place can't get one."

The debate raises wider questions about balancing prison capacity and public safety, and the government says the pause will allow the new ministerial team to review implementation and listen to victims before any changes go ahead.