Couple’s anguish at possible early release for son’s killers

A DEVON couple whose son bled to death after being stabbed in the street have spoken of their anger that his killers could be released early from prison.

Brothers Jack and Ben Milton were sent to jail in May 2024 after being found guilty of manslaughter. Now their sentences could be cut in half.

Ray Parrington, whose son Aaron died on the pavement outside his home in Torquay’s Ellacombe Church Road in September 2023, said: “They’re sitting in jail now looking forward to getting out early. All we’ve got to look forward to is putting flowers on our son’s grave.”

Jack Milton was sentenced to 15 years in prison and Ben Milton to 14. Under the new proposals the jail time could be reduced by half, followed by a third of the sentence on probation, and the final 17 per cent not supervised.

It could mean Ben Milton being released from prison in May 2031 and his brother coming out in November the same year.

Now Torbay’s Liberal Democrat MP Steve Darling is hoping to put pressure on Prime Minister Andy Burnham to think again on his controversial early release policy.

The government says it has to respond to nationwide prison overcrowding by releasing certain prisoners early, and Justice Secretary Alex Norris told the BBC that there could be a ‘prison capacity crisis’ if fewer prisoners were allowed early release.

People convicted of murder will not be let out early, and neither will prisoners convicted of rape, grooming and serious child sex offences. Many prisoners convicted of manslaughter will, however, be eligible for early release.

The policy has been in the spotlight as a result of the case of PC Andrew Harper, who was killed in 2019 when he was dragged down a road by a car as three teenagers fled the scene of a quad bike theft in Berkshire.

It is understood that while the driver of the car is not eligible, the other two teenagers received sentences for manslaughter and could be released early.

Aaron Parrington was 34 when he was attacked and stabbed multiple times with a large kitchen knife during an altercation in the street. Passers-by tried in vain to help stop the bleeding, and said they were also threatened as they tried to save the victim.

A jury at Exeter Crown Court found the Milton brothers not guilty of murder, but guilty of manslaughter. The trial heard that they had each blamed the other for inflicting the wounds.

Aaron’s mother Kathy – wearing a T-shirt bearing the message ‘Forever 34 Son’ in his honour – said she and her husband were ‘devastated’ at the thought of an early release for the brothers.

And, she said: “Since they went to prison all we ever hear about is them. It is never about Aaron. The victims have no voice.

“Nobody who stabs and kills someone should get out early. They’re going to get out and live their lives, but our Aaron has gone.”

The Parringtons acknowledge the anger over the potential early release of the teenagers involved in the death of PC Harper, but say other victims of manslaughter and their families risk being overlooked.

Aaron, they say, was a ‘happy-go-lucky’ man who worked as a plumber, supported Everton and left a son of his own when he died.

“Nobody ever said anything bad about him,” said Kathy.

When the brothers were jailed Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Inspector Ilona Rosson said: “The violence used by Ben and Jack Milton exceeded self-defence.

“Throughout this case they have continued to blame each other, taking no responsibility for their actions, and arrogantly denying their roles. On the evidence shown to the court, the jury found them both culpable of killing Aaron.

“This is sadly another example of the devastating damage that using a knife can cause and that no good can come from it. I thank the family of Aaron Parrington for their support of our investigation and I commend the strength they have shown throughout this case.”

Mr Darling said he planned to raise the issue with the Prime Minister, and Liberal Democrat MPs demanded the recall of Parliament early from the summer break to discuss the issue.

“I think it is really important that government ministers are held to account about the impact this will have on people like Mr and Mrs Parrington,” he said.

“The government needs to think about whether there are other ways of dealing with this particular issue.”

Following their son’s death, the Parringtons raised almost £2,000 for the Devon Air Ambulance, which was involved in the desperate efforts to save Aaron.

They have also led a campaign for more ‘bleed kits’ on the streets to help treat victims of knife attacks and accidents.

A typical bleed kit contains a tourniquet, specialist gauze treated with clotting agents; dressings, a chest seal, shears,gloves and a lightweight foil blanket.

They are typically stored alongside defibrillators, and contain an instruction leaflet to guide untrained bystanders through high-pressure situations.

For now, the Parringtons are hoping their MP will be able to influence the policy over early release.

“We don’t want any other families to have to feel the way we feel,” said Ray. “This will never leave us.”