Lammy blocks Jimmy Mizen killer's open prison move

Justice Secretary David Lammy has blocked the transfer to an open prison of a killer accused of releasing rap music about murdering 16-year-old Jimmy Mizen.

Jake Fahri was given a life sentence in 2009 with a minimum term of 14 years for killing the teenager by throwing an oven dish at him the previous year. The dish shattered, severing blood vessels in his neck.

Fahri was released on licence in 2023 but recalled by the Ministry of Justice last January, after the Sun published a story alleging he was making drill music -including about the murder - as balaclava-clad artist Ten.

The Parole Board said earlier this month he should be moved to an open prison, but that has now been opposed by Lammy.

A Ministry of Justice spokesman said Deputy Prime Minister Lammy's intervention was for "public protection".

The Parole Board said In its decision summary earlier this month Fahri had given evidence disputing his music was "about his own life" but noted that since his recall he had accepted he was the artist Ten.

It said his failure to disclose the music to his probation officer had been a breach of his licence, but Fahri, 36, claimed to have been unaware of the restrictions - something the panel found to be untrue.

The board had rejected the possibility of re-releasing Fahri, instead recommending his move to an open prison.

It added that Farhi "needed to reflect" on "why he failed to be open and honest with the professionals managing his case" but this "could be achieved" in an open prison.

Lammy's blocking of this move has been welcomed by Mizen's mother Margaret, who told the Sun she had been "shocked" by the Parole Board's initial recommendation.

"I would much prefer this decision didn't have to be made because he would have turned his life around. I'm really sad that he hasn't," she said.

But the reversal shows Farhi had "not changed his attitude", she added.

"He got into the witness box at his trial and lied through his teeth," she told the newspaper. "Clearly, he hasn't changed, and I'm glad the justice secretary has seen through it."

When he was sentenced, Farhi had been given a minimum 14-year prison term - the point at which release can be considered, usually with conditions attached.

Two songs by Ten were played on BBC 1Xtra, The BBC said it had been unaware of his background at the time of broadcast.