Labour's soft stance on crime could soon see a vile grooming gangs ringleader walk free after serving less than one third of his prison sentence. Arshid Hussain was one of the men initially jailed in 2016 after being convicted of 23 child sex offences carried out through the Rotherham grooming gang. On top of a 35-year prison sentence, Hussain received an additional seven-year concurrent sentence in 2017 for further abuse offences. Yet now, in a bid to free up prison space, he could walk free.
Victim's Outrage Over Potential Release
One of his victims, Sammy Woodhouse, who after waiving her right to anonymity has been proudly campaigning against sexual exploitation, has officially been notified that her abuser could be coming out of jail after serving just 10 years. Sammy became pregnant with her first son aged 14 after being groomed and raped by the paedophile ringleader.
She posted on X, formerly known as Twitter: “Due to the Sentencing Act 2026, Arshid Hussain – the man who abducted and raped me as a child, and who did the same to dozens of other children – is being considered for early release. He was sentenced to 35 years in prison in early 2017 and was described as one of the most dangerous men in the UK. He was later convicted of further offences. His brother, Basharat Hussain, is also being considered for release. I honestly can’t put into words how disgusted I am with the British government.”
Official Notification and Justice Sources
Although justice sources insist “no decision has been taken” on the early release of any offenders, Miss Woodhouse posted a copy of the letter, which said she will receive further notification in August if Hussain is to be released. Signed by a Ministry of Justice “victim liaison officer”, it added: “I understand that receiving this information may be difficult, and we recognise the lasting impact the offence may have had on you.”
Details of the Sentencing Act 2026
Under the Sentencing Act 2026, killers and rapists will be let out of prison early, while 43,000 criminals will avoid jail altogether. Many will be out after spending just a third of their jail term in prison. And those sentenced to four years or more will only be let out after serving 50% of their sentence behind bars.
Miss Woodhouse was first attacked at 14 and fell pregnant after being plied with drink and drugs, raped and threatened at gunpoint. The Hussain brothers, who poured petrol over their victims, are said to have "owned" the South Yorkshire town for more than 10 years. Some girls were just 11 years old when they were raped, tied up, tortured and passed between abusers. Ringleader Arshid was jailed for 35 years, Bannaras 19 years, and Basharat was given 25 years.
Political Reaction
Shadow justice minister Dr Kieran Mullan said: “The British public will rightly be disgusted by Labour's plans to let rapists and child groomers out of prison early. They were warned repeatedly about the sorts of vile criminals this would allow to walk free from jail and they didn't listen. Victims are now paying the price. This must not be allowed to go ahead. It's an appalling insult to justice for each and every victim.”
