FEAR AND FURY AS VIOLENT ABUSER WALKS FREE WEEKS AFTER JAIL
A domestic abuse victim, Rose Wright, has expressed her deep fear for her safety after her ex-partner, Michael Stimson, was released early from prison.Stimson was sentenced to three years and four months in April 2023 for stalking and sending offensive messages following a violent tirade against his then-girlfriend.
Despite serving just over half of his sentence, he was released in January, a decision that Wright describes as 'disgusting.' Rose, who met Michael during her work at a Portsmouth pub, recounted how his abuse started merely two weeks into their relationship on Valentine’s Day, when he threw her down the hallway, leaving her with multiple bruises.
His behavior rapidly worsened; he would become paranoid and aggressive, snapping with his eyes turning black.
She recalls being unconscious within three seconds when he strangled her and being subjected to physical assaults, especially when he drank.
Wright also detailed how he bombarded her with phone calls and texts, once calling her 559 times within 36 hours.
Despite a previous sentence, she feels she has been handed a 'life sentence' by her abuser's early release.
Stimson's case has sparked outrage among victims and advocates, including MP Liz Jarvis, who condemns the system for failing to protect domestic abuse victims.
The article also references Lance Cole, another offender from Southampton, who is due for release in May after serving three years and four months for abuse, highlighting concerns over early release policies and safety risks to victims.
The government defends the policy, stating that only prisoners meeting specific criteria, such as serving at least 40% of their sentence, are eligible for early release under a system excluding serious violent and sexual offences.
