The mother of a murdered teenage boy is devastated after learning that one of his attackers is being considered for early release. Daejaun Campbell, 15, was fatally stabbed with a “zombie” knife in Woolwich, south-east London, in September 2024. Two individuals were convicted in connection to his death. Imre Doue received a minimum 21-year prison sentence for murder, while Marko Balaz was sentenced to a minimum of 11 years for manslaughter.
Jodian Taylor, Daejaun’s mother, expressed her distress upon hearing that Balaz might be granted early release and Doue plans to appeal his sentence. She feels that justice has not been served and is struggling to mourn the loss of her son. The Sentencing Act, enacted earlier this year, allows for certain violent and sexual offenders to be considered for release halfway through their sentences, rather than serving two-thirds of their term.
In response to concerns, the Prime Minister announced that individuals convicted of rape, serious child sexual offenses, and grooming will be excluded from the early release program starting in October. While expressing a desire to further restrict early release, Mr. Burnham emphasized the need to balance public safety with prison capacity constraints. Families of victims have voiced outrage over the possibility of offenders being released early under the new scheme.
PC Andrew Harper, a police officer who died responding to a theft incident in Sulhamstead in 2019, saw his killers, Jessie Cole and Albert Bowers, both 17 at the time, sentenced to 13 years for manslaughter. The Ministry of Justice has confirmed that these individuals may also be eligible for early release. Lissie Harper, the widow of PC Harper, condemned the potential release of the killers, labeling it as a betrayal by the government and justice system.
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