Junead Ahmed, 36, from Brentwood, was jailed for 3 years 3 months after orchestrating a sophisticated prison escape plot. Ahmed, previously convicted of fraud in 2023 for posing as a doctor to rent an unaffordable £2million mansion, was in custody at HMP Chelmsford awaiting sentencing when he carried out the scheme.
On 21 June, Ahmed used a fake email purporting to be from the Royal Courts of Justice to issue fraudulent release orders, temporarily fooling prison staff and walking free. The following day, the same email account attempted to secure releases for two other inmates, Adam Mohamed and Charlie Whittaker. Suspicious prison staff verified with the courts and discovered no such orders existed.
Police investigations revealed Ahmed’s co-conspirators: his wife, Nazash Akhtar, and Charlotte Whittaker, mother of Charlie Whittaker. Officers also linked a tech accomplice, 20-year-old Aaryan Noor Ali from Barking, who created the fake emails and release orders. Ahmed was later found hiding in the loft of Akhtar’s Shenfield home and was re-arrested.
At Chelmsford Crown Court, the conspirators received the following sentences:
Junead Ahmed – 3 years 3 months
Aaryan Noor Ali – 2 years 2 months
Nazash Akhtar – 2 years suspended for 2 years
Charlotte Whittaker – 12 months suspended for 18 months
Adam Mohamed – 12 months suspended for 18 months
Charlie Whittaker – sentence pending
Detective Chief Inspector Rob Huddleston said:
“This was a sophisticated escape plan masterminded by Ahmed and his wife. Once alerted, the prison and police acted quickly, uncovering Ahmed hiding in a loft, arresting the conspirators, and ensuring justice was served.”
