Essex resident Junead Ahmed, 36, was arrested and convicted of fraud in 2023 for impersonating a doctor, renting properties without paying, and purchasing a £2 million house without settling the bill, court records show.

While awaiting sentencing at HMP Chelmsford, he escaped by sending the prison governor a forged letter, purportedly from the High Court, granting him unconditional release.

The experienced prison staff were deceived, and Ahmed walked out of the prison gates a free man.

Junead Ahmed is accused of forging High Court documents to escape prison. Photo: Essex Police

Junead Ahmed is accused of forging High Court documents to escape prison. Photo: Essex Police

Emboldened by his success, Ahmed decided to use the same tactic to free two fellow inmates serving time for drug and disturbance offenses.

Authorities confirmed the three men had become "very fond of each other" during their time together in prison. After his successful escape, Ahmed reportedly boasted to his wife, "I'm going to get all my friends out. They’re really good guys, they’d die for me".

However, the subsequent two forged letters aroused suspicion. The two inmates were not released, and Ahmed was also recaptured.

In 11/2023, he received a 4-year sentence for the property fraud and now faces an additional sentence for conspiring to escape prison.

Not only did Ahmed fail to free his friends, but he also implicated them and their mothers, who had provided details of the two inmates for Ahmed to use in the forged letters. A 20-year-old tech-savvy friend of Ahmed's, who also participated in the plot, was also charged.

Ahmed and his 5 accomplices have all pleaded guilty and are scheduled to be sentenced in October.

The judge described the plan as "sophisticated" and, even without any violence towards prison staff, a very serious offense.

Authorities have not disclosed whether the governor or staff faced any disciplinary action for their negligent release of the inmate.

Hai Thu (Telegraph)