Simone Reed, a former Big Brother contestant and X Factor hopeful, has been released from prison early after serving just 11 weeks of a 32-month sentence for her role in a petrol bomb attack. The 36-year-old mother of five was reportedly seen shopping at a discount store in the days before Christmas, sparking controversy over her early release.
Reed was jailed in October after pleading guilty to encouraging or assisting arson with recklessness as to whether life would be endangered. The incident occurred at Peggy Junes bar in Redcar, Teesside, where Reed drove with Carl Wild to a petrol station after threatening to firebomb the venue. Wild, 34, launched a Molotov cocktail at reveller David Brotton, engulfing his head and shoulders in flames.
During sentencing, Judge Laird stated: “Simone Reed, you paid for the items and you placed the petrol can in your car. Simone, you demanded to go back into the bar to collect your telephone. When that was refused, you threatened to petrol-bomb the bar.” The judge acknowledged Reed showed remorse for her actions.
Despite her 32-month prison term, Reed was freed after just 11 weeks. She reportedly posted on Facebook: “Merry Christmas – back home with my babies. 2026 is going to be our year.” Her brother, Paul Reed, also shared a message on December 11, expressing excitement about her imminent release.
Reed’s early release has drawn attention to the sentencing disparities, as her accomplice Carl Wild received a longer term for the attack. In her guilty plea, Reed stated: “I had no idea that Carl was going to take it as far as he did... I did not expect at any point that anyone would suffer physical injury.”
