A Nottingham MP is demanding a meeting with the Ministry of Justice over 'serious concerns' about how the case concerning one of her constituents has been handled. It comes as former painter and decorator Dominic Walker said his life 'has been ruined' after one of his colleagues slashed his face with a Stanley knife.
The 36-year-old, from Clifton, said the ordeal left part of his face paralysed - explaining he had to quit his well-paid job due to his disability. As a result of the attack, the dad-of-two said he split up with his partner and moved into his mum's back bedroom, struggling "to make a fresh start" after the traumatic experience.
His attacker Steven Brett was sentenced to two years in prison for wounding, with time ordered on a qualifying curfew. Judge Stuart Rafferty, King's Counsel, ordered Brett serve half of his sentence before his release on licence - meaning his time in prison would be about one year.
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Brett, 34, previously from Main Street, Monk Bretton, Barnsley, pleaded guilty to wounding in Grantham Road, Bingham, on January 18, 2021. But Mr Walker said the sentencing has gone in his attacker's 'favour', struggling to get closure. Mr Walker said he "felt that the system was unfair" on him, saying he hoped that Brett would have spent more time in prison.
While the Ministry of Justice cannot comment on individual prisoners, Nottinghamshire Live understands that someone who is serving a two year prison sentence would serve half of the sentence in custody before being automatically released on licence into the community subject to supervision.
But Labour MP for Nottingham South Lilian Greenwood said she is now seeking an "urgent meeting" with the Ministry of Justice to raise her concerns of the handling of the case. In a statement to Nottinghamshire Live, she added: “My constituent Dominic Walker suffered horrific injuries when he was attacked by Steven Brett and it has had a significant long term impact, affecting his job and his life.
"There are also serious concerns about how his case has been handled by those who should have been supporting him at such a traumatic time. I am now seeking an urgent meeting with the Ministry of Justice to raise our concerns.”
A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said: "Sentencing is a matter for independent judges but offenders released on licence are subject to strict conditions and face being recalled to prison if they break them."
Speaking of his life which has spiralled ever since, Mr Walker added: "I was making £44,000 a year, and then I got a job that paid half of what I was earning before. It has ruined my life.
"I split up with my partner. I had a house - now I live in my mum's back bedroom. I cannot afford to get my own place. I have got no closure. I am disgusted. It feels so unfair."
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