Justice Secretary Blocks Prison Move For Jimmy Mizen Killer

Jake Fahri, the man convicted of the brutal murder of 16-year-old Jimmy Mizen in a south London bakery in 2008, will not be moved to an open prison following a decision by Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Secretary David Lammy. This latest development comes after a storm of controversy erupted when it was revealed that Fahri, now 36, had been producing rap music under the alias Ten, with lyrics that appeared to reference and even boast about the killing—a revelation that deeply distressed the Mizen family and reignited public debate about justice, rehabilitation, and victims’ rights.

On May 10, 2008, Jimmy Mizen, described by those who knew him as a “blameless” and “immaculate character,” was killed during a petty argument at the Three Cooks Bakery in Burnt Ash Hill. Fahri, then 19, threw a glass oven dish at Jimmy, which shattered and drove shards deep into the teenager’s neck, severing an artery and his jugular vein. Jimmy bled to death in the arms of his older brother, Harry, on what was supposed to be a joyous day—his 16th birthday, marked by his first trip to buy a lottery ticket. According to eyewitnesses, Fahri fled the scene “walking with a swagger,” and one even recalled “he had a big grin on his face,” as reported by The Sun and Daily Mail.

Fahri was sentenced to life imprisonment in 2009 with a minimum term of 14 years. After serving his minimum term, he was released on licence in June 2023. But it wasn’t long before his newfound freedom was overshadowed by controversy. Masked and performing as the drill artist Ten, Fahri’s music began circulating on platforms like Spotify, YouTube, and even BBC 1Xtra—though the broadcaster later said it had been unaware of his background at the time of broadcast, according to BBC News. The lyrics in question included chilling lines such as, “Watched him melt like Ben and Jerry’s,” and “Sharpen up my blade I’ve got to keep those necessary. Stay alert and kept it ready, any corner could be deadly.” Another verse referenced his trial: “Judge took a look at me, before the trial even started he already knows he’s gonna throw the book at me.”

Public outrage reached a boiling point in January 2025, when The Sun revealed Ten’s true identity as Jake Fahri. The Ministry of Justice responded swiftly, recalling Fahri to prison for breaching the terms of his licence—specifically, for failing to disclose his musical activities to his probation officer. A Parole Board summary later confirmed that Fahri initially denied being the rapper but, after his recall, admitted he was indeed Ten. The board found that he had been “not open and honest with the professionals managing his case,” and that his actions had caused “significant additional stress” to the Mizen family, a concern echoed by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.

Earlier this month, the Parole Board recommended that Fahri be moved to an open prison—a facility with minimal security where eligible prisoners can spend most of their day outside on licence. The board’s written decision stated, “The panel determined that Mr Fahri needed to reflect on his attitude, thinking and behaviour, so that he could better understand himself, including why he failed to be open and honest with the professionals managing his case. It considered that this could be achieved in an open prison and recommended that Mr Fahri should be progressed in this way.”

But this recommendation was met with fierce criticism from Jimmy’s family. Margaret Mizen, Jimmy’s mother, told The Sun she was “shocked” by the panel’s suggestion. “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. Margaret added, “It goes to show that the things which have been said about him over the years are probably true. 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.”

On January 17, 2026, Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Secretary David Lammy announced he was blocking Fahri’s transfer to open conditions, citing public protection as the overriding concern. A spokesperson for the Ministry of Justice stated, “Jimmy Mizen’s murder was a horrific crime and our thoughts remain with his friends and family. Public protection is our top priority, which is why the Deputy Prime Minister has blocked Jake Fahri’s transfer to open conditions.”

The Mizen family’s pain has been compounded by the public nature of Fahri’s post-prison activities. The Mizens have spent years channeling their grief into positive action, founding the Mizen Foundation to promote “forgiveness, peace and hope, and empowerment among young people and communities.” Both Barry and Margaret Mizen were appointed MBEs in 2013 for their charitable work. Still, the knowledge that their son’s killer was, in their eyes, “boasting” about his crime in widely available music has been a source of fresh anguish.

Fahri’s brief period of freedom also led to uncomfortable moments in the public eye. He was photographed with England and Barcelona footballer Marcus Rashford while out on licence, prompting Rashford to clarify on Instagram, “I want to make it clear I have never seen this photo, I do not know this person and I am not friends with him. Like most footballers if someone asks for a photo with me, I will never refuse but I am obviously not able to do a background check on every individual that asks me for a photo.”

The debate over Fahri’s potential transfer to an open prison has raised wider questions about the parole system, rehabilitation, and the responsibilities of released offenders. Open prisons, by design, are intended for those considered low risk and ready to begin reintegrating into society. Candidates must meet strict conditions, including a low risk of absconding. The Parole Board, in this case, argued that time in such a setting could help Fahri confront his behavior and develop greater honesty. However, as the Ministry of Justice and the Mizen family see it, the risk to public confidence and the pain caused to victims’ families outweigh the potential benefits of this next step for Fahri.

For now, Jake Fahri remains in custody, and the Mizen family continues to advocate for young people in Jimmy’s memory. The case stands as a stark reminder of the lifelong impact of violent crime—not only on victims and their families, but also on the ongoing debates about justice, remorse, and the true meaning of rehabilitation.