CORRECTION: Length of time Mr Ings was imprisoned for has been amended to 21 years, at the request of his family.
A Bracknell man, Luke Ings, has been freed after spending 21 years in prison after a court ruled his original sentence was imposed in error.
He was 17 when jailed in 2006 after admitting offences including a robbery in a Bracknell underpass and an assault in a fast-food restaurant.
Although given a minimum tariff of 21 months, he was given a detention for public protection (IPP) sentence - an indefinite term that could keep people locked up after their tariff if not deemed safe to release. Until his release yesterday, he was the UK's longest-serving IPP.
Wolverhampton Crown Court quashed the original sentence and replaced it with a determinate term of 42 months, meaning Ings had already served more than required and was entitled to release.
His family campaigned for years. In 2023 his mother Sam told the News she wanted him freed after almost two decades.
"People cannot believe he's there 18 years later."
"He feels like there is no light at the end of the tunnel. He feels like it will never end."
Local MP Peter Swallow welcomed the decision.
"It is right that Luke has now been released. My office has been supporting Luke and his family since 2024 and we have seen first-hand the determination, hard work and persistence they have shown in their fight for justice."
"My office and I will continue to offer our support as they look to move forward following this decision."
"IPP sentences were a grave injustice and should never have been introduced."
Campaigner David McMullen said: "I am really pleased for Luke and his family. He was 17 years old when he was sent to prison and the government quite clearly realised these were completely unfair sentences, with even government ministers campaigning to see these sentences quashed."
Former MP James Sunderland, who visited Luke in prison, said: "I visited Luke in prison whilst I was the MP and campaigned hard for his release. I am delighted that this has now finally happened. Hopefully the government can now put the whole IPP nonsense to bed. I wish Luke well for whatever lies ahead."
The judge, Mr Justice Choudhury, sitting with magistrate Norma Grant, said the original court's failure to consider an extended sentence was a "very serious error" and that Ings' age at the time was a "critical factor".
Katie French, Local Democracy Reporter
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