Denise Welch: Loose Women star voices fear as stalker set for early release amid controversial prisoner scheme

During a discussion on the show, Welch shared the "terrifying" news, tying it to the ongoing debate about the government's controversial early release scheme. This policy allows inmates to be released after serving 40 per cent of their sentence, down from the previous 50 per cent.

Although Welch's stalker, Toraq Wyngard, is not being released under the new scheme, he is still being freed after serving just half of his seven-year and seven-month sentence, imposed in 2022. Wyngard was convicted of arson, stalking, possession of a knife, and criminal damage after starting a fire on Welch's property that caused thousands of pounds in damage.

Speaking about her situation, Welch explained: “I myself have a stalker who is in prison and is being released early. I am not allowed to see any of his mental health reports... When I asked ‘Will he be tagged?’ they said, 'Well, that depends if his team decides if that’s encroaching on his human rights'. So this is what we’re dealing with in this country, and I’m glad we’re talking about it."

Welch expressed her sympathy for others who may also be living in fear due to early prisoner releases, adding: "I feel really sorry for anyone who is now living in fear because of these releases."

Meanwhile, the government's decision has sparked widespread outrage, with several high-profile cases gaining attention. Among those set to be freed early is Lawson Natty, who supplied a machete used in the killing of 14-year-old Gordon Gault in 2022.

Natty, convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to two years and eight months, is being released after serving only part of his sentence. The victim's mother, Dionne Barrett, expressed her disgust, telling Good Morning Britain: "I feel totally sick to my stomach that he's allowed out now after only serving months... What if he does it again to somebody else?"

Another soon-to-be released inmate is Adam Andrews, convicted of causing grievous bodily harm to a 21-day-old baby in 2018, leaving the child blind, paralysed, and with a drastically reduced life expectancy. The child's mother told The Telegraph, "If he is not classed as a serious offender for almost taking my children away, then who is?"

The scheme also allows violent offenders, including those convicted of assault, robbery, and child cruelty, to be released early. This includes Swansea man Shane Riley, who was jailed for assaulting his ex-partner but may now be released after serving just nine months of his 23-month sentence.

The early release policy, part of Labour’s plan to address prison overcrowding, has been met with sharp criticism. Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood defended the decision, saying: "We have taken every measure available to exclude offences from this measure." However, the inclusion of violent criminals has raised concerns about public safety.