Lammy blocks open prison transfer for killer accused of rapping about murdering schoolboy
The deputy prime minister has blocked a Parole Board recommendation that a convicted murderer accused of publishing rap music referencing his murder of a schoolboy be transferred to an open prison.
Jake Fahri, who was sentenced to a minimum of 14 years in prison in 2009, killed 16-year-old Jimmy Mizen by throwing a baking tray during an argument at a South London bakery on May 10, 2008. The glass plate shattered, rupturing the blood vessels in Jimmy’s neck and causing fatal injuries.
Fahri, now 36, was released on license in June 2023 but was recalled to prison in January 2025 following a statement from the Ministry of Justice (MoJ). Sun was preparing to publish a story claiming that he had prepared drill music containing details of the murder.
The newspaper claimed that Fahri was Ten, the masked drill artist who performed on BBC 1Xtra, and that the balaclava-wearing rapper referenced Jimmy’s death in one of his tracks available on Spotify and YouTube.
The Parole Board decision summary said Fahri gave statements to the panel contesting that the music was “about his own life”, but since his recall he has accepted that the killer is the artist known as Ten in the videos.
The board said Fahri should not be released from custody, but could instead be transferred to an open prison, which has minimum security and allows eligible inmates to spend most of their days outside of prison on leave.
“The panel decided that Mr. Fahri should reflect on his attitude, thoughts and behavior in order to better understand himself, including why he did not act openly and honestly towards the professionals managing his case,” the written decision said.
“He evaluated that this could be achieved in an open prison and recommended that Mr. Fahri proceed in this way.”
Jimmy’s mother Margaret, 73, told The Sun on Friday she was “shocked” to learn the Parole Board had recommended the move and was pleased with Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Minister David. lammy He rejected the suggestion.
A Ministry of Justice spokesman said: “The murder of Jimmy Mizen was a horrific crime and our thoughts are with his friends and family.
“Protecting the public is our top priority, which is why Deputy Prime Minister Jake Fahri blocked his transfer to open conditions.”
Inmates eligible for release to open conditions must meet certain conditions, including being a low risk of escape.
Miss Mizen said Mr. Lammy’s The decision shows that Fahri “has not changed his attitude.”
“I would have preferred this decision not to have to be made because it would have turned his life around. I’m really sorry he didn’t do that,” he told the newspaper.
“This shows that what has been said about him for years is probably true.
“He took the witness stand at his trial and lied through his teeth. Frankly he hasn’t changed and I’m glad the Minister of Justice understood that.”
It was reported that photographs were taken of England football player Marcus Rashford and the murderer wearing a balaclava while Fahri did not have a driver’s license.
The Daily Mail reported that Rashford said in a statement on his Instagram story last January: “I would like to make it clear that I have never seen this photo, I do not know this person and I am not friends with him.
“Like most footballers, if someone wants to take a photo with me I would never refuse, but obviously I can’t do background checks on every person who asks me for a photo.”
