A driver convicted of causing death by dangerous driving in Norfolk, described by police as the most intoxicated they had ever encountered behind the wheel, was due to be released early under a revised sentence reduction scheme before it was paused.

Malcolm Waite, 72, struck two pedestrians in Stalham in July 2022, including a 16-year-old girl who sustained cuts and bruises, and Fenella Hawes, 20, who died at the scene. Hawes was carrying sunflowers intended for her mother when Waite mounted the pavement in an SUV, hitting her before continuing to drive roughly a mile further. He eventually collided with a road sign and some trees.

Upon arrival, officers found Waite in the driver’s seat, smelling strongly of alcohol and with a half-empty bottle of vodka nearby. He refused a breath test and was later determined to be four times over the legal drink-drive limit. Waite admitted causing death by dangerous driving and received an eight-year prison sentence in 2022.

PC Callum Walchester, who arrested Waite, said the driver was the most inebriated person he had witnessed driving during his ten years as a police constable. Under recent changes to early release rules, Waite had been scheduled to be released after serving half of his prison term, rather than the previously required two-thirds.

The decision to reduce early release requirements sparked concern from Hawes’ family, who urged authorities to exclude offenders causing death from the scheme. They warned that allowing Waite’s sentence to be shortened would not act as a deterrent and risked the possibility of him committing a similar crime again.

Following public backlash and these objections, officials announced a pause to the early release program while its parameters are reconsidered. The move reflects growing unease about cutting sentences for serious offenders, particularly those involved in fatal incidents.