A fugitive child rapist could be released early under Labour’s prison scheme despite never serving a day behind bars, prompting the government to pause the policy for an urgent review. Brian Green, 76, was sentenced in absentia to 22 years in 2024 for raping a child between the ages of nine and 13 but fled to Thailand before trial and remains at large.
For context: Under the Sentencing Act, violent offenders typically serve two-thirds of their sentence, but Labour’s proposed scheme would allow some to be freed after just half—even if they were convicted in absentia. The policy was set to begin in September but faced immediate backlash after revelations that Green and other high-risk offenders could benefit.
Victim speaks out as government halts scheme
The victim, now an adult, said she was notified by police that Green would be eligible for early release if captured. “I got an email with the subject ‘Developments’ and thought ‘they’ve got him,’” she told The Sun. “But it read, ‘I have to tell you once he’s apprehended, he will be let out early.’ This is not justice.”
Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced the pause on Thursday, citing public safety concerns. “No prisoners will be let out under this policy until we have conducted an urgent review,” he said. The decision follows outrage over the potential early release of two men convicted in the 2019 killing of PC Andrew Harper, though the Ministry of Justice has not confirmed whether rapists or killers would be exempt.
Opposition demands permanent exclusion for violent offenders
Former Conservative leadership candidate Kemi Badenoch criticized the pause as insufficient, arguing that early releases are already endangering the public. She pointed to the case of Liam Matthews, who killed 26-year-old Lewis Bell hours after being freed under the scheme. “Your scheme is still letting offenders out early, today, every day,” she wrote on X.
PC Harper’s widow, Lissie Harper, called the policy “deplorable,” while his mother, Debbie Adlam, urged a thorough review. “It’s not enough,” she said. “It needs to be looked at thoroughly.” The government has not yet outlined which offences will be excluded from early release, leaving victims and campaigners awaiting further details.
