Family's joy as prisoner who grabbed traffic warden's camera is set for release
Prisoner Sam Stanger is to be released from jail with an electronic tag next week after serving seven months of a two-year sentence for snatching a parking officer's camera.
His family were told the news yesterday by a probation officer, who confirmed Sam would be able to leave on home detention curfew – on a tag – on Tuesday.
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Sam Stanger, from Leicester, was jailed for grabbing a warden's camera
It comes following a campaign to free him by his family, friends and thousands of protestors who felt his sentence was excessive.
Despite public support, Sam was denied the opportunity to appeal against his sentence in March, leaving him with the hope that good behaviour would see him released early.
Now his delighted family are looking forward to welcoming the 26-year-old home.
His dad, Steven, of Braunstone Town, said: "We're really pleased and just want to get him home now.
"Sam's been okay, just getting on with it and keeping out of trouble.
"I've not spoken to him yet so we don't know if he even knows himself."
Thousands of people took part in protests, signed a petition and joined a Facebook group hoping to appeal against the sentence Sam was given at Leicester Crown Court, in December.
The incident happened when Sam was working at the Leicester Tigers stadium in June last year.
He admitted stealing the camera after receiving a ticket as he was getting into his vehicle and pleaded guilty to robbery.
Sam told the Mercury during an interview at Onley Prison, near Rugby, that he had lost his temper in a "split-second" of madness.
His family say they believed he should be punished, but that two years in prison was "over the top".
After hearing the news yesterday, Sam's elder brother, Shane, said: "We don't know what the terms of his release will be yet but it's really good news.
"We were expecting to hear on Tuesday so when we didn't we thought he'd been knocked back.
"But then we found out this morning. It's a real relief – if he'd had to do more time that would have been horrible, like starting all over again."
Sam's grandfather, Tony, of Thurmaston, spent days leading protests outside Leicester Crown Court following Sam's sentencing.
Yesterday, he said: "We're all over the moon. We just had to keep the faith which was difficult sometimes.
"Now we're all looking forward to just getting on with our lives again.
"We just want to thank everyone who supported him."
Beryl Stanger, Sam's grandmother, said today: "We're just thrilled to bits."
18 Comments
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by Boroko, LE3
Friday, July 16 2010, 9:23AM
“Bottom line, the guy's a violent scum bag.
Two years may have seemed excessive, but I hardly think the judge would've handed out such a sentence without careful consideration and due cause.
If the guy had simply obeyed the law, parked legally and behaved like any other DECENT citizen then the whole thing could've been avoided.
For what it's woth, I say bring back the stocks, pillory and public flogging...”
by ianr, melton
Friday, July 16 2010, 9:02AM
“lets jus tface it.
This man is a THIEF and this will be on record as such.
His family and friends who have campaigned as though it was just a minor issue are as bad as he is.
He got what he deserved.”
by Kulgan, Crydee
Friday, July 16 2010, 7:06AM
“Peter,
Who said I supported Con Clarke!
Sorry that my Grade 4 CSE English has let me down. OK. He robbed the traffic warden.
No wonder the judicial system is a mess with namby pampy pc Labour lefties calling this robbery a 'minor crime'.
I sincerely you never suffer such a 'minor crime' as a robbery (To take property from (a person) illegally by using or threatening to use VIOLENCE OR FORCE).
You live in a very, very, strange and leftist world. I pity you.”
by John, Leicester
Friday, July 16 2010, 1:13AM
“Peter what are you on!
"It is no worse than damaging someone's car", I think robbery is! I wonder what you base this opinion on?
Also this man was sentenced to ROBBERY, so I dare say Kulgan quote stands...”
by j, leic
Thursday, July 15 2010, 10:01PM
“"Perhaps if you were to read my letter CORRECTLY and in it's proper context, you will see that I DO NOT CONDONE what the man in question has done, merely the irony of the two cases mentioned in my letter. It is perfectly obvious to me that you have not had to suffer at the hands of someone vandalising YOUR property."
I never suggested that you did condone what he did.
There is no irony in the punishments you outline; they are totally different crimes and are deserving of totally different sentences. I think the sentences you outline sound appropriate.
And finally in the last few years, I've had my car keyed, I've had a rear house window smashed, and I've had my front door kicked in. It still doesn't make me think that vandals should go to prison.”