The parents of a Devon man who bled to death after being stabbed in the street have spoken of their anger that his killers could be released early from prison. Ray and Kathy Parrington’s son Aaron died on the pavement outside his home in Torquay’s Ellacombe Church Road in September 2023. Brothers Jack and Ben Milton were jailed in May 2024 after being found guilty of manslaughter, but under new government proposals their sentences could be cut in half.
Ray Parrington 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 proposals, jail time could be reduced by half, followed by a third of the sentence on probation, with the final 17 per cent unsupervised. This could mean Ben Milton being released in May 2031 and Jack Milton in November the same year.
Torbay’s Liberal Democrat MP Steve Darling is hoping to pressure Prime Minister Andy Burnham to reconsider the policy. The government says it must respond to nationwide prison overcrowding by releasing certain prisoners early. 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, rape, grooming, and serious child sex offences will not be let out early, but many convicted of manslaughter will be eligible. The policy has been in the spotlight following 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 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 him. A jury at Exeter Crown Court found the Milton brothers not guilty of murder, but guilty of manslaughter. The trial heard that the brothers had each blamed the other for inflicting the wounds.
Aaron’s mother Kathy, wearing a T-shirt bearing “Forever 34 Son”, said she and her husband were “devastated” at the thought of early release. She said: “Since they went to prison all we ever hear about is them. It is never about Aaron. The victims have no voice.” She added: “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 PC Harper’s death, but say other victims of manslaughter risk being overlooked. Aaron was described as a “happy-go-lucky” man who worked as a plumber, supported Everton, and left a son.
Detective Inspector Ilona Rosson said: “The violence used by Ben and Jack Milton exceeded self-defence.” She said the brothers continued to blame each other, took no responsibility, and arrogantly denied their roles. She added that the jury found both brothers culpable of killing Aaron.
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. He said: “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 also said: “The government needs to think about whether there are other ways of dealing with this particular issue.”
The Parringtons have raised almost £2,000 for the Devon Air Ambulance, which was involved in 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. Bleed kits are typically stored alongside defibrillators and contain an instruction leaflet to guide untrained bystanders.
The Parringtons are hoping their MP will be able to influence the early release policy. Ray Parrington said: “We don’t want any other families to have to feel the way we feel. This will never leave us.”