In 2025, the Offender Database reported that Mohammed Fethaullah, then 64, of Wandsworth, London, died while serving a life sentence at HMP High Down. On 13 May 2025, Fethaullah—a convicted murderer and rapist—passed away in custody. The Prisons and Probation Ombudsman reported that an independent investigation into the circumstances of his death is currently in progress.
The investigation into Fethaullah’s criminal history established that he was originally sentenced to life in 2003 for the “vile” murder of his stepmother, Yasmin Akhtar. The prosecution reported that Fethaullah, along with three other men, kidnapped the 35-year-old from her home in Redhill, Surrey, and strangled her in the back of a shop on Old Kent Road. Her body was subsequently wrapped in carpet and set on fire in Larkhall Park, Clapham. The court heard the motive was a dispute over a £250,000 divorce settlement that threatened Fethaullah’s inheritance.
Judicial Findings and Historical Rape
The court reported that while serving his life sentence, evidence emerged of a historical sexual assault committed by Fethaullah in 1999. A 14-year-old girl, who worked in his Brixton shop, bravely came forward after a 2016 DNA test proved that Fethaullah was the father of her child. The prosecution emphasised that Fethaullah had spiked the teenager’s drink before driving her to a secluded location to rape her. For this “depraved” act, Fethaullah was convicted in 2019 and handed an additional 16-year prison sentence.
Detective Sergeant Kendal Moore emphasised that Fethaullah was a “dangerous predatory individual” and that the conviction proved time is no bar to achieving justice. The judge emphasised that the psychological trauma inflicted on the young victim was exacerbated by her having to raise the child born from the assault. For his crimes in South London, Fethaullah was categorised as a high-risk offender who had systematically exploited and destroyed lives for his own financial and sexual gratification.
Sentence and Statutory Requirements
For his crimes in London and Surrey, Mohammed Fethaullah was subject to:
- Custodial Sentence: Life imprisonment (for murder) plus a consecutive 16-year sentence (for rape).
- Sex Offenders Register: Notification requirements are in effect for life.
- Convictions: Murder, kidnapping, and rape of a child.
- Status: Deceased in custody at HMP High Down in May 2025.
Final Status and Public Protection
Prior to his death, Fethaullah was managed under the highest level of Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA). His history of predatory violence and the extreme measures he took to protect his financial interests meant he was considered a high-risk prisoner throughout his incarceration.
Authorities in Wandsworth and Surrey state that his death brings a definitive end to the threat he posed to the public. As a registered sex offender, Fethaullah’s history remains a matter of public record to reflect the severity of his dual role as a killer and child rapist. The Prisons and Probation Ombudsman will release a final report on his death once the formal inquest has concluded, ensuring full transparency regarding his time at HMP High Down.
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