Killer applies for day release
A taxi driver who mowed down a West Bromwich teenager and dragged him for more than a mile under his cab has applied for day release from prison after just a year behind bars, it emerged today.
A taxi driver who mowed down a West Bromwich teenager and dragged him for more than a mile under his cab has applied for day release from prison after just a year behind bars, it emerged today.
The news was broken to victim Scott Poll's distraught parents last night. Arthur and Sharon Poll say they will oppose the move.
Scott, aged 17, from Lincoln Road, Stone Cross, died in February last year when he was run over in Hollyhedge Road, West Bromwich, by 's taxi and dragged beneath it for six streets.
His body was later found near the Manor House pub in Hall Green Road. A massive public outpouring of grief followed, with hundreds of mourners attending his funeral service.
Hussain, a 45-year-old married father-of-two, of Grange Road, West Bromwich, fled the scene but was given credit by the trial judge for volunteering himself to the police for questioning, although was later found to be lying.
He was convicted at Wolverhampton Crown Court in September after denying murder and death by dangerous driving but pleading guilty to manslaughter.
He was jailed for three years, later extended to five years after a High Court judge ruled the the original term was "unduly lenient".
Mr Poll said the family was informed by the Probation Service last night that Hussain was eligible for and had applied for day release from jail in December.
He said: "I'm disgusted. My wife is in shock. It's an insult to Scott's memory. We've been told it's part of his human rights but our son can't get day release – he's in a box for eternity.
"It was only nine months ago that we won our appeal to get his sentence increased. He got five years, he ought to serve five years. I'm not against day release but at the end of his sentence, not now. The whole system's a joke otherwise."
Albion-mad Scott worked in a sandwich bar as well as holding down a match day job at The Hawthorns.
He had been hoping to train as a fitness instructor.
Former Baggies stars including ex-England captain Bryan Robson played in a charity match which raised more than £4,000 towards a community centre to be built in Scott's name.
Mr Poll said the family was lodging an objection to the application by Hussain.