The Ministry of Justice has vowed to launch a full investigation after a man released early from prison fatally attacked another within hours of his release.
Liam Matthews, 26, was found guilty of manslaughter at Teesside Crown Court after slashing Lewis Bell with a chisel during an altercation in a drug den in September 2024. The attack took place on the very same day Matthews was freed from HMP Holme House under the government’s emergency early release scheme.
Bell, a father of one, was chased, stabbed, and left to die in the street in the early hours of 19 September. Cleveland Police confirmed that alongside Matthews, Sean McLeod, 23, was convicted of murder, Ashton White, 18, was convicted of manslaughter, and Macauley Wright, 26, was found guilty of assisting an offender. All four men will be sentenced on 19 June.
A policy under scrutiny
Matthews’ release came at a time when the government had introduced emergency measures to free up space in the country’s overcrowded prison system. Under this scheme, prisoners sentenced for non-violent crimes could be released early to prevent the justice system from grinding to a halt.
However, Matthews had previously been convicted of violent disorder in 2023 following a street fight. He had been sentenced to 22 months but was told he would serve just 11 before becoming eligible for early release.
The case has sparked fresh criticism of the government’s approach to prison overcrowding, with some questioning whether dangerous offenders are being released too soon. The Prisons and Probation Ombudsman had previously warned that early releases would lead to reoffending, stating it was “inevitable” that some individuals would commit further crimes.
A Ministry of Justice spokesperson defended the government’s position, insisting that emergency action was necessary.
“This Government inherited prisons days from collapse. Had that happened, the police would have been forced to stop making arrests, and the public would have been put at unconscionable risk,” they said.
“We had no choice but to introduce an emergency early release programme. We did so with protections in place, including exclusions for those serving sentences for serious violent crimes.”
The spokesperson confirmed that a full investigation into the case would be conducted to determine whether any failings had contributed to Bell’s death.
A brutal and senseless attack
According to police, Bell was pursued by the gang before being fatally stabbed in the back. His attackers then fled the scene, disposing of weapons and clothing, with Wright helping to arrange a taxi to facilitate their escape.
Detective Chief Inspector David Glass of Cleveland Police condemned the attack as “pre-planned and sustained.”
“Lewis Bell did not deserve to die. This was a brutal attack by a gang who chased him down with weapons in the street. They inflicted multiple stab wounds, one of which was fatal, before leaving him to die,” he said.
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Bell’s family expressed their devastation in a heartfelt statement, describing him as a “much-loved father, son, brother, and uncle.”
“Lewis was killed in the most brutal and heartless way. We hold all three males convicted responsible for his murder despite the convictions of two of them for manslaughter,” they said.
Calls for reform
The case has reignited calls for stricter monitoring of released prisoners and a reassessment of the early release policy. Critics argue that while the government’s emergency measures were intended to ease pressure on the justice system, they may have inadvertently put the public at greater risk.
Questions remain over why Matthews, who had a recent history of violent behaviour, was deemed eligible for early release. Campaigners are urging the government to reconsider its criteria, ensuring that no potentially dangerous offenders are freed prematurely.
As sentencing approaches, there is mounting pressure on ministers to reassess the policy before further tragedies occur. For Bell’s family, however, no investigation or policy change will bring back their loved one.
