Antanas Jankauskas, convicted of murdering Sarah Ashwell, a mother of two from Wells, Somerset, could be transferred to Lithuania to complete his 14-year prison sentence. Jankauskas, 43, was sentenced at Bristol Crown Court in March 2022 after pleading guilty to the murder of 47-year-old Sarah, who was tragically attacked in her home in November 2021.
Sarah’s death shocked the local community, as she was widely loved and admired. Her family has expressed deep concern about the possibility of Jankauskas serving his sentence abroad and the implications this may have on victims’ rights, parole hearings, and the enforcement of his punishment.
In response, Sarah’s mother Lynne and her 18-year-old son Harrison met with Justice Minister Jake Richards to discuss their worries. They reported feeling heard following the constructive meeting. Liberal Democrat MP for Wells and Mendip Hills, Tessa Munt, also described the discussions as positive and productive.
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The government’s current policy allows foreign nationals convicted in the UK to be transferred to their home countries if those countries have prisoner transfer agreements with the UK. While Jankauskas would serve the sentence originally imposed by the UK court, the transfer raises questions for victims' families.
Following the sentencing in 2022, Sarah’s family paid tribute to her, calling the ordeal “heartbreaking” and emphasizing how much she was loved and admired by her community. They also addressed Jankauskas directly, stating, “No punishment could ever be enough” to atone for his actions.
Since 2010, the UK has transferred 945 convicted prisoners abroad under such agreements, with over 100 cases ongoing. The initiative aims to reduce the number of foreign nationals in UK prisons, thereby easing the burden on taxpayers. Victims’ views are considered in each case, and the receiving country must agree to enforce the UK sentence.
Minister Jake Richards has highlighted the importance of expanding these transfer agreements to facilitate the repatriation of foreign nationals serving sentences in the UK, balancing justice efficiency with victims' rights concerns.