Early-release prisoner killed man when let out

Liam Matthews had been released from prison on the day of the fatal attack

A man convicted over a fatal knife attack had been let out of prison the same day as part of the government's early release scheme.

Lewis Bell, 26, was stabbed to death in a dispute over drugs on 19 September in Stockton-on-Tees.

Liam Matthews, now 26, who was found guilty of manslaughter, had been released from HMP Holme House that morning. He was convicted at Teesside Crown Court alongside Ashton White, now 18, and Sean McLeod, 23, who was found guilty of murder.

A Ministry of Justice (MoJ) spokesperson vowed to investigate Matthews' case fully, but said the government had been left with "no choice but to introduce an emergency early release programme".

Matthews had been convicted of violent disorder after a street fight in 2023.

He was sentenced to 22 months for that crime and told he would serve 11, according to Channel 5 News.

His early release came in the first month the emergency measures aimed at freeing up spaces in overcrowded prisons were introduced.

All three men will be sentenced on 19 June, alongside Macauley Wright, 26, who was convicted of assisting an offender.

Dad-of-one Lewis Bell, 26, was killed in September

During the trial, the three had denied murder, blaming each other for Mr Bell's death.

The court heard the father of one was hunted like prey and fatally stabbed in the back, in a case revolving around a crack cocaine den.

Jurors heard the feud was connected to a drug den on Norton Road and Mr Bell was suspected of robbing other visitors.

One said they had only meant to give him "a kicking".

On the night of 18 September, the victim was chased from the property and attacked on a residential street.

His death was caused by a 5in (12.5cm) stab wound to his back, which penetrated his lung causing catastrophic blood loss.

'Did not deserve to die'

Mr Bell's family said they had lost "a much-loved father, son, brother and uncle".

In a statement they said: "We hoped that the convictions of his killers today would bring some form of closure, however we will never get over the loss of our Lewis and we now must rebuild our lives without him.

"We will miss and love him every day."

A jury convicted Sean McLeod (left) of murder. Liam Matthews and Ashton White were found guilty of manslaughter

Det Ch Insp David Glass of Cleveland Police welcomed the convictions.

"This was a pre-planned, sustained attack by a gang who chased him down with weapons in the street," he said.

"While today's outcome won't bring Lewis back, I do hope that it provides some form of comfort."

A MoJ spokesperson said the government had "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 for serious violent crimes.

"Like with all serious further offences, this case will be investigated fully so we can take action where necessary."