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Death crash footballer Courtney Meppen-Walter freed in error Death crash footballer Courtney Meppen-Walter freed in error
(about 1 hour later)
An ex Manchester City footballer jailed for killing two people in a car crash was released from prison early by mistake, the Prison Service said. An ex-Manchester City footballer jailed for killing two people in a car crash was released from prison early by mistake, the Prison Service said.
Courtney Meppen-Walter, 18, was jailed for 16 months for causing the deaths of brother and sister Kulwant Singh and Ravel Kaur in September.Courtney Meppen-Walter, 18, was jailed for 16 months for causing the deaths of brother and sister Kulwant Singh and Ravel Kaur in September.
Their relatives said they felt "let down" by the justice system when he was released after serving four months. Their relatives welcomed his return to jail but said it was "further anguish and trauma".
But he will be returned to prison after the Prison Service admitted its error. He will be returned to prison after the Prison Service admitted its error.
Release errors 'rare'Release errors 'rare'
A spokesman said: "Police have been informed after a prisoner was released in error on Monday 1 July to ensure he is promptly returned to custody.A spokesman said: "Police have been informed after a prisoner was released in error on Monday 1 July to ensure he is promptly returned to custody.
"Releases in error are very rare and we take any incident extremely seriously."Releases in error are very rare and we take any incident extremely seriously.
"An investigation will take place into the circumstances that led to this release.""An investigation will take place into the circumstances that led to this release."
A statement issued by the victims' family issued prior to the admission of the player's release error, said they were "devastated" by the decision.
Meppen-Walter admitted causing death by careless driving at Manchester Crown Court in February. The court heard he was driving at up to twice the 30mph limit in central Manchester at the time of the crash.Meppen-Walter admitted causing death by careless driving at Manchester Crown Court in February. The court heard he was driving at up to twice the 30mph limit in central Manchester at the time of the crash.
The sentencing judge said he would serve half his sentence in custody, but might be released earlier on an electronic tag.The sentencing judge said he would serve half his sentence in custody, but might be released earlier on an electronic tag.
He was also banned from driving for three years.He was also banned from driving for three years.
Meppen-Walter, of Middleton Road, Blackley, has not played for Manchester City's first team but has captained the England under-18 squad.Meppen-Walter, of Middleton Road, Blackley, has not played for Manchester City's first team but has captained the England under-18 squad.
The court was told Mr Singh, 32, and Mrs Kaur, 37, had been sitting in the front of a Nissan Micra when it was struck by a Mercedes C220 saloon driven by Meppen-Walter's, owned by his grandfather, at 22:15 BST on 1 September.The court was told Mr Singh, 32, and Mrs Kaur, 37, had been sitting in the front of a Nissan Micra when it was struck by a Mercedes C220 saloon driven by Meppen-Walter's, owned by his grandfather, at 22:15 BST on 1 September.
They had been emerging from a side street when the crash happened, at the junction of Great Ducie Street and Sherborne Street.They had been emerging from a side street when the crash happened, at the junction of Great Ducie Street and Sherborne Street.