Drill rapper Kemani Duggan, 25, and former building society cashier Kelly Kershaw, 54, have both been released from prison early, prompting backlash from the public.
Duggan, son of gangster Mark Duggan whose death sparked the 2011 London riots, was seen at a house music rave shortly after his release. He had been serving a five-year sentence for possessing a Cold War-era pistol and ammunition. Duggan was jailed in July 2024 after admitting to possessing a Zastava M57 Tokarev-type semi-automatic pistol and 22 rounds of ammunition with intent to cause fear of violence. He had spent nearly six months in custody on remand following his arrest in January at Gatwick Airport. The weapon, described as deadly, has a history on Britain's streets and was found with two knives in a JD Sports bag in a car park, with Duggan's DNA on the pistol. Duggan's defense stated he feared for his safety due to his fame and gang associations, a claim acknowledged by the judge who noted Duggan's profile stemmed from his drill career, gang links, and "unfortunate life history."
Kershaw, a former Nationwide cashier, was released on home curfew after serving just a quarter of her 16-month sentence. She stole at least £8,605 over 12 months by forging a customer's signature and targeting elderly clients and a man with learning difficulties. Kershaw used the stolen funds to finance lavish holidays to destinations including Dubai, the Maldives, and Indonesia, often boasting about her travels on social media. She admitted five counts of fraud between December 2023 and October 2024. An outraged local described her release as a "terrible indictment of the system and no deterrent."
Neither Duggan's nor Kershaw's early release is connected to the Labour's Sentencing Act, which has led to approximately 5,000 prisoners being freed to alleviate jail overcrowding. A Ministry of Justice spokesperson stated that offenders on Home Detention Curfew, like Kershaw, are subject to strict conditions and tagging, with breaches resulting in return to prison. Duggan was released under standard arrangements.