Man jailed in place of his own cousin loses appeal

A BIRMINGHAM man posed as his cousin and served jail time in his place – but was rumbled by a prison officer.

Mohammed Ahshan Ahmed pretended to be his relative, Shahab Uddin Ahmed, at a hearing at Birmingham Magistrates’ Court in April last year.

Shahab Ahmed was jailed for seven years in 2011 for his role in a £2 million banking scam, which allowed him to live a life of luxury.

He was later ordered to repay his illgotten gains or face more time behind bars.

He was due to be sentenced at magistrates’ court for failing to pay what he owed but his cousin appeared in his place and was imprisoned instead.

The truth was only discovered when an officer, who knew what Shahab Ahmed looked like, realised they had jailed the wrong man. Mohammed Ahmed, of Pershore Road, Edgbaston, was released, but later arrested and charged with perverting the course of justice.

He denied wrongdoing, but was jailed for 12 months at in September.

The 36-year-old this week challenged his conviction, arguing he did not receive a fair trial because he was not present in court.

But his appeal was rejected by three of the country’s most senior judges, who said it was his choice to miss his trial by refusing to leave his cell.

Mr Justice William Davis, added: “The judge gave the jury fair and accurate directions as to how to treat his absence.

“The case against him was overwhelming and there are no reasons at all to doubt the safety of the conviction.”