A heartbroken mother has said she feels "betrayed" by the system after being told her son's killer could move to an open prison. Tracy Venison's son, Aidan Venison, was 19 when Toby Spiring, 28, ploughed into his motorcycle near Wisborough Green, West Sussex in June 2024. Now just a year into his eight-year sentence, Tracy has been told he could be considered for a move to an open prison.
Eligibility for open prison
If moved to the D category prison, there could be the possibility of day release. The grieving mother described feeling "utterly shocked" and "insulted" after receiving the email informing her of the news.
She said: "I felt betrayed by the system because it hit me so hard, it was like Aidan's life didn't count I'm still heartbroken, you wake up daily wishing you could turn the clocks back"
Background of the case
At the time of the fatal crash, Spiring, from Littlehampton, was twice the legal drink-driving limit. He later pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving and was sentenced in October 2025 and was also given a five-year driving ban from the date of his release.
Spiring had one previous conviction for drug-driving and driving while insured from July 2018, which saw him disqualified for 12 months. Now, just a year into his sentence, he is eligible to be considered for the move to the less secure prison.
Tracy said: "He's had the chance to show that he can be a better person. He chose not to. It is not something that he just did once. It was a conscious decision he made to get in the car yet again, this time resulting in the death of my son."
Campaign and official response
Prisoners undergo regular reviews and risk assessments that are used to consider any changes. Just last month, the prime minister said those jailed for death by dangerous driving would not be eligible for the government's early release scheme. However, those in jail may be considered for an open prison within five years of their earliest release date.
Tracy is campaigning for lifetime bans to be given to those who cause death by dangerous driving. The petition has reached over 20,000 signatures, meaning the government will respond to the petition.
Mark Day, deputy director of the Prison Reform Trust, said: "Somebody could be assessed as being suitable for open conditions but might not be assessed as suitable for release on temporary licence."
"We want people to progress in their sentence, we want them to be ready at the point of release to re-enter the community and to be equipped with the skills and experiences which will allow them to make a success of their resettlement."
An MoJ spokesperson said: "This was a horrific crime and our thoughts remain with Aidan Venison's family and friends. Public protection is our priority, and prisoners are only moved to lower-security conditions following a thorough risk assessment, informed by specialists in offender behaviour and psychology."
The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) said: "Public protection is our priority, and prisoners are only moved to lower-security conditions following a thorough risk assessment."
