Drink-drive killer's proposed open prison move 'an insult'

The mother of a teenager killed by a drink-driver has said she feels "insulted" and "betrayed" after being told her son's killer could move to an open prison one year into his eight-year sentence.

Tracy Venison's son, Aidan Venison, was 19 when Toby Spiring ploughed into his motorcycle near Wisborough Green, West Sussex, in June 2024.

She has been told 28-year-old Spiring could be considered for a move to a prison which has the possibility of day release, and which provides inmates the opportunity to reconnect with family.

The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) said: "Public protection is our priority, and prisoners are only moved to lower-security conditions following a thorough risk assessment."

Tracy said she felt "utterly shocked" and "insulted" when she received an email informing her of the news.

"I felt betrayed by the system because it hit me so hard," she said. "It was like Aidan's life didn't count.

"I'm still heartbroken, you wake up daily wishing you could turn the clocks back.

"I still go into his bedroom every morning and say good morning, I still go into his bedroom every evening and say goodnight."

Spiring, from Littlehampton, was twice the legal drink-driving limit at the time of the crash.

He was sentenced in October 2025 after pleading guilty to causing death by dangerous driving. He was also given a five-year driving ban from the date of his release.

He is now eligible to be considered for a move to a less secure Category D prison, according to the Probation Service.

The offender had one previous conviction from July 2018 for drug-driving and driving while uninsured. He was fined and disqualified for 12 months.

Tracy said: "He's had the chance to show that he can be a better person. He chose not to.

"It is not something that he just did once. It was a conscious decision he made to get in the car yet again, this time resulting in the death of my son."

Tracy said she was concerned that prison overcrowding was a factor in her son's killer potentially being moved.

It has been a focus of the government since Andy Burnham took office.

Last month the prime minister said those jailed for death by dangerous driving wouldn't be eligible for the government's early release scheme, designed to ease the issue.

Prisoners regularly have re-categorisation reviews and risk assessments are used to consider any changes.

Those in jail may be considered for an open prison within five years of their earliest release date.

Mark Day, deputy director of the Prison Reform Trust, said: "Somebody could be assessed as being suitable for open conditions but might not be assessed as suitable for release on temporary licence.

"We want people to progress in their sentence, we want them to be ready at the point of release to re-enter the community and to be equipped with the skills and experiences which will allow them to make a success of their resettlement."

An MoJ spokesperson said: "This was a horrific crime and our thoughts remain with Aidan Venison's family and friends.

"Public protection is our priority, and prisoners are only moved to lower-security conditions following a thorough risk assessment, informed by specialists in offender behaviour and psychology."

Tracy is now campaigning for lifetime driving bans for those who cause death by dangerous driving.

Her petition has so far reached over 10,000 signatures, which means a government response is required.

She added: "I've lost my son. I'm never going to get my son back again, and we have to live the rest of our lives without our son in it."

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