The mother of a teenager killed in a head-on collision near Wisborough Green has condemned a recommendation to move his killer to an open prison less than a year after he was sentenced.
Aidan Venison, 19, died on the B2133 at Newpound on 30 June 2024—just two days before his 20th birthday. The driver of the other vehicle, Toby Spiring, was found to be more than twice the legal drink-drive limit at the time of the crash.
In October 2025, Spiring was sentenced at Lewes Crown Court to eight years in prison after pleading guilty to causing death by dangerous driving. However, his victim’s mother, Tracy Venison, has now been informed that a recommendation has been made to transfer Spiring to a Category D (open) prison.
Describing the potential move as an “insult” to her son’s memory, Ms Venison said the news had come as a shock so early into the eight-year term. Under Category D conditions, prisoners are often permitted more freedom and can sometimes be granted temporary release for work or rehabilitation purposes.
The collision at Newpound
The fatal incident occurred when Spiring’s vehicle crossed into the opposite lane on the B2133, a rural road connecting Wisborough Green and Petworth. Aidan, a resident of Thakeham, was pronounced dead at the scene.
During the sentencing hearing in 2025, the court heard that Spiring, of Littlehampton, had a previous conviction for drug driving. The prosecution detailed how he had ignored the risks of getting behind the wheel while intoxicated, leading to the “catastrophic” collision.
The Ministry of Justice does not comment on individual cases but maintains that transfers to open conditions only occur following a rigorous risk assessment. Such moves are typically intended to test a prisoner’s readiness for eventual release toward the end of their custodial term.
Campaign for ‘Aidan’s Law’
The recommendation for a lower-security prison has added momentum to Ms Venison’s ongoing campaign for legislative change. She is calling for mandatory lifetime driving bans for anyone convicted of causing death while under the influence of drink or drugs.
Supported by local representatives, including Arundel and South Downs MP Andrew Griffith, the family is seeking to change how the justice system handles repeat offenders and those who kill on the roads.
“He had a previous conviction and he still went out and did it again,” Ms Venison said of the driver. “Eight years was never enough, but to hear he might be in an open prison after one year is devastating.”
A public petition has been launched to bring the proposal for lifetime bans to Parliament. Readers can view the campaign details via the UK Parliament Petitions website.
The final decision on the prison transfer rests with the prison service and the Ministry of Justice. For now, the Venison family continues to wait for confirmation of whether the move will proceed.
