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Footballer released from jail by mistake is back in custody Footballer released from jail by mistake is back in custody
(3 months later)
A footballer who killed two people in a car crash and was released from jail by mistake is back in custody, police say.A footballer who killed two people in a car crash and was released from jail by mistake is back in custody, police say.
The former Manchester City youth player and England Under-18 captain Courtney Meppen-Walter walked free from prison on Monday after serving just a quarter of his 16-month sentence.The former Manchester City youth player and England Under-18 captain Courtney Meppen-Walter walked free from prison on Monday after serving just a quarter of his 16-month sentence.
Greater Manchester police were informed by the Prison Service of the blunder and efforts were made to return the 18-year-old to custody.Greater Manchester police were informed by the Prison Service of the blunder and efforts were made to return the 18-year-old to custody.
A police spokesman confirmed that the player was back behind bars on Tuesday morning. An investigation is under way into how he was mistakenly freed.A police spokesman confirmed that the player was back behind bars on Tuesday morning. An investigation is under way into how he was mistakenly freed.
The Prison Service said: "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."The Prison Service said: "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."
The widow of one of Meppen-Walter's victims said she was devastated to learn he had been allowed to walk free, and felt "badly let down" by the criminal justice system.The widow of one of Meppen-Walter's victims said she was devastated to learn he had been allowed to walk free, and felt "badly let down" by the criminal justice system.
The footballer was jailed on 28 February at Manchester crown court, where the sentencing judge said he would serve half his sentence in custody but could be released earlier on an electronic tag.The footballer was jailed on 28 February at Manchester crown court, where the sentencing judge said he would serve half his sentence in custody but could be released earlier on an electronic tag.
Meppen-Walter, from Blackley, Greater Manchester, was driving his grandfather's Mercedes at almost twice the 30mph speed limit when he hit a car at a junction in central Manchester.Meppen-Walter, from Blackley, Greater Manchester, was driving his grandfather's Mercedes at almost twice the 30mph speed limit when he hit a car at a junction in central Manchester.
Its driver, Kulwant Singh, 32, from Salford, and his sister, the front-seat passenger, Ravel Kaur, 37, from Cheetham Hill in Manchester, were both killed.Its driver, Kulwant Singh, 32, from Salford, and his sister, the front-seat passenger, Ravel Kaur, 37, from Cheetham Hill in Manchester, were both killed.
Minutes earlier, Meppen-Walter had been "jockeying" and "playing games" on a nearby dual carriageway with a friend in a VW Golf.Minutes earlier, Meppen-Walter had been "jockeying" and "playing games" on a nearby dual carriageway with a friend in a VW Golf.
The victims had arrived in the UK in 2001 to start a new life after fleeing persecution by the Taliban in Afghanistan. Kaur's two sons, aged 16 and 17, who were rear-seat passengers, were injured in the crash, last September. They are now orphans, having lost their father in Afghanistan.The victims had arrived in the UK in 2001 to start a new life after fleeing persecution by the Taliban in Afghanistan. Kaur's two sons, aged 16 and 17, who were rear-seat passengers, were injured in the crash, last September. They are now orphans, having lost their father in Afghanistan.
Meppen-Walter had one previous conviction for speeding, for doing 56mph in a 30mph zone.Meppen-Walter had one previous conviction for speeding, for doing 56mph in a 30mph zone.
Singh's widow, Kushwant, said on Monday: "The news of Meppen-Walter's release from prison has devastated me. His original sentence of 16 months for causing death by careless driving to both my husband and his sister was not sufficient in the first place.Singh's widow, Kushwant, said on Monday: "The news of Meppen-Walter's release from prison has devastated me. His original sentence of 16 months for causing death by careless driving to both my husband and his sister was not sufficient in the first place.
"He has now been released after serving just four months, which is a quarter of his sentence. I feel that I have been badly let down by the criminal justice system.""He has now been released after serving just four months, which is a quarter of his sentence. I feel that I have been badly let down by the criminal justice system."
As well as being sentenced to 16 months concurrently on two charges of causing death by careless driving, which he admitted, Meppen-Walter was also banned from driving for three years.As well as being sentenced to 16 months concurrently on two charges of causing death by careless driving, which he admitted, Meppen-Walter was also banned from driving for three years.
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