Killer driver Katie Gutierrez-Perez enjoys taste of freedom
Our little reason to smile again
THE parents of a toddler killed by a drunk driver find joy at last.
A KILLER driver who ploughed into a toddler after downing a cocktail of booze and pills has enjoyed a weekend of freedom just SIX MONTHS into her seven-year sentence.
Shameless Katie Gutierrez-Perez, 40, was allowed out of jail to relax with a pal in a cafe, go jewellery shopping and enjoy a curry - less than a year after snuffing out the life of 15-month-old Finlay Woods.
Last September she took sleeping pills, cider and wine before climbing behind the wheel of her 4x4 and mounting the pavement outside the gates of a primary school.
Sick
The mum of two had been warned by a tax-disc inspector not to drive because her disc was out of date, she was uninsured and admitted she was drunk.
She told him: "Report me" before getting into her car and careering down the road.
Finlay's devastated parents were told their son's killer was being let out of jail - then warned she may get regular weekend passes, which they may not be informed about.
Finlay's heart- broken mum Tina, who was pushing Finlay's buggy with his brother Harvey when the tot was crushed by the 4x4, said: "What kind of punishment is this?
"It makes me sick to the stomach to see this woman out enjoying herself.
"The justice system is a joke. Why did the police and courts spend so much time trying to convict this woman if this is how she serves her sentence?" Gutierrez-Perez, who told the court she was driving to hospital after a suicide bid, was let out of Downview Prison, Surrey, last Saturday.
Terrified
She took a local bus to Sutton, where she was spotted strolling up and down the high street with a male pal and a young woman.
At lunchtime they went to a tandoori restaurant before more shopping and a rest- stop at Caffe Nero, where they sipped iced drinks and smoked cigarettes in the sunshine. The next day Gutierrez-Perez went to Sutton again with the man, where they shopped at two jeweller's before enjoying another restaurant lunch.
Outraged Tina, 32, told us: "She can walk around shopping and having a nice time when my family is still living in hell.
"I didn't leave the house all weekend because I was terrified I may see her walking around. I don't want my children seeing her. The fact this woman is able to get on with her life in this way and enjoy shopping trips makes my grief harder to bear."
Tina's husband Roger, 32, added: "It makes me so angry.
"The system is so geared up to care for people like her. How can this be justice?"
The Ministry of Justice said it would not comment on individual prisoners. A spokesman said: "Release on temporary licence prepares prisoners for their eventual release from custody.
"It helps to reduce the chance of re-offending."
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This article has 6 comments
Can some tell me the point of the justice Ministry? Is its sole purpose to feed Jack Straw's ego?
By steve tea. Posted July 19 2009 at 12:33 PM.
How about 7 years meaning 7 years. No time off for good behaviour but time added on for bad behaviour. No prisoner should be allowed out on weekend passes until the last 6 months of sentence. What kind of punishment has this woman had. Out shopping with friends, of course she has money to spend because all her food is being paid for. I bet this poor little boys parents would love to have been taking their little boy out, buying him things and enjoying themselves, but this selfish drunken woman has taken him away from them. They see their little boy crushed to death and she's out enjoying herself after a few months in prison. What kind of justice is this, no they will never ever get over his death but at least they had the thought that driver was being punished - another joke. As usual there are more thoughts for the prisoner and not for the victim and their families.
By Karen 51. Posted July 19 2009 at 11:14 AM.
If she is sentenced to seven years in prison it should MEAN seven years - it's totally wrong that she is being allowed out - which idiot has decided that I ask? - it's time the government got their act together what is this country coming to? She has ripped the heart out of Finlay's family by taking his innocent life away and she has to pay!!
By Debbie. Posted July 19 2009 at 10:59 AM.
The Ministry of Justice always say they cannot comment on individual cases. Well its about time they were MADE to bloody well comment!!! FFS, I am so angry at stories like these, where the HELL is the justice here? That little child will never know what a tandoori lunch is, or go shopping. We need a bloody good shake up of the laws in this country. Come on NOTW, lets get our heads together and start a campaign.
By Jay. Posted July 19 2009 at 8:30 AM.
She's 6mths into a 7yr sentence. Temporary release helps prisoners prepare for their eventual release. SHE STILL HAS 6 & A HALF YRS TO GO!! How long does it take to prepare a prisoner for the outside world? This is worse than a slap in the face for this family. The justice system seems to have ripped their hearts out & stomped on them bare foot.
By Liz. Posted July 19 2009 at 4:58 AM.
"Release on temporary licence prepares prisoners for their eventual release from custody.
"It helps to reduce the chance of re-offending."
How about spending the 7 years in prison first!
What a sick joke our prisons now are!
'Tough on crime, tough on the causes of crime' -
just remember which party said that at the next election.
By SickOfItAll. Posted July 19 2009 at 4:07 AM.