Jimmy Mizen's killer Jake Fahri denied prison transfer as Justice Secretary overrules parole board
Justice Secretary David Lammy has stepped in to block the transfer of a convicted killer to an open prison after it emerged he had released drill music referring to the murder
Jake Fahri was jailed for life in 2009 for killing 16-year-old Jimmy Mizen. He attacked the teenager with an oven dish, which shattered and severed arteries in his neck.
Fahri was released on licence in 2023 but later recalled to prison after the Sun reported that he was releasing music under the name “Ten”. The tracks included lyrics understood to reference the killing, and Fahri appeared masked in videos.
Earlier this month, the parole board recommended that Fahri be moved to an open prison. However, the Ministry of Justice confirmed that Lammy had blocked the move on public protection grounds.
In its decision summary, the parole board said Fahri had initially denied the music was about his own life.
After being recalled to custody, he accepted that he was the artist known as Ten. The board said Fahri needed to reflect on why he had not been open and honest with professionals managing his case. It concluded this work could be carried out in an open prison.
Lammy’s intervention has been welcomed by Jimmy Mizen’s mother, Margaret. She said she was shocked by the parole board’s original recommendation.
Speaking to the Sun, she said: “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.”
“He got into the witness box at his trial and lied through his teeth.
“Clearly, he hasn’t changed, and I’m glad the justice secretary has seen through it.”
Fahri was given a minimum term of 14 years. As with all life sentences, this marked the earliest point at which release could be considered, usually under strict licence conditions.