Racist killer who beat cellmate to death then painted swastika freed from prison
A racist murderer who bludgeoned his cellmate to death with a table leg has been released from prison, according to reports.
When Robert Stewart beat Zahid Mubarek, 18, to death as he slept, Feltham Young Offenders Institute in west London was accused of being "institutionally racist" and at fault for Zahid's death.
The vicious attack, which happened the day before Zahid was due for release, sparked debate about racism in prisons across the country. However, despite trying to destroy the evidence, Stewart was charged with murder and eventually sentenced at the age of 20.
But now, it has emerged Stewart - who changed his surname in prison - was let out in October last year having been controversially recommended for release by a three-person Parole Board panel, despite being rejected for parole, or a move to an open jail, in 2022.
The Parole Board believed Stewart could be controlled - as long as he adheres to strict conditions that he must adhere to, or he will be returned to jail. It said: "We can confirm that a panel of the Parole Board has directed the release of Robert Stewart following an oral hearing.
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"Parole Board decisions are solely focused on what risk a prisoner could represent to the public if released and whether that risk is manageable in the community. A panel will carefully examine a huge range of evidence, including details of the original crime, and any evidence of behaviour change, as well as explore the harm done and impact the crime has had on the victims. Members read and digest hundreds of pages of evidence and reports in the lead up to an oral hearing.
"Evidence from witnesses such as probation officers, psychiatrists and psychologists, officials supervising the offender in prison as well as victim personal statements may be given at the hearing. It is standard for the prisoner and witnesses to be questioned at length during the hearing which often lasts a full day or more. Parole reviews are undertaken thoroughly and with extreme care. Protecting the public is our number one priority."
Zahid Mubarek was bludgeoned to death with a table leg (Photonews Service Old Bailey)
Stewart denied murder but was jailed in November 2000 (PA)Stewart has been allocated a probation hostel outside of London and has a team of professionals monitoring his progress, Mail Online reports. When an inquiry found Feltham Young Offenders Institute to be racist after the killing, the landmark case was described as the "Stephen Lawrence moment" for the Prison Service and criminal justice system.
It sparked a national debate about violence in prisons - especially youth institutions for inmates ages 15 and upwards and racist attitudes held by a tiny minority of prison officers. The public report published in 2006 exposed multiple failings that allowed vulnerable Asian teenager Zahid to be in a cell with a known racist.
Zahid was killed at Feltham Young Offenders Institute, where he was serving 90 days for shoplifting £6 worth of goods from a supermarket in March 2000. In the early hours of the morning of his scheduled release, he was attacked by Stewart. Using a broken-off table leg as a deadly weapon, Stewart hit Zahid eleven times, inflicting terrible head injuries on Zahid as he slept.
An inquiry found Feltham Young Offenders Institute in London was 'institutionally racist' (PA)Stewart summoned prison officers and claimed his cellmate had "an accident". Prison guards reported that when they arrived at Zahid's cell Stewart had been standing over him covered in blood and holding a large table leg. He had also written a message on the wall of the cell he was moved to which read 'just killed me padmate', signed off with a swastika.
When Stewart, from Hattersley, Greater Manchester, was convicted of murder, a judge told him he was "a danger to yourself and a danger to the public". But in July last year, Stewart was told he had been recommended for release. It took a further three months to coordinate all the agencies required to ensure the killer was adequately monitored.
A public inquiry into Zahid's murder was held by the the then Home Secretary, David Blunkett, after lawyers for Zahid's family argued that the European Convention on Human Rights entitled them to one. It also revealed how racial incidents were under-reported and that some white officers hurled abuse at black inmates at Feltham Young Offenders Institute.
The Mirror has contacted the Parole Board for comment.
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