An acclaimed British-Jamaican rapper, deported part-way through an 11-year prison sentence, has sparked controversy by immediately jetting off to Dubai and flaunting a life of luxury on social media.
From Prison Cell to Dubai Luxury
Marnz Malone, whose real name is Kimani Shaw, was deported to Jamaica this month after serving roughly half of his sentence for threatening rival gang members with a firearm in Birmingham in 2021. The 24-year-old was removed under a government initiative aimed at freeing up space in the UK's overcrowded prison system.
Instead of remaining in Jamaica, Shaw wasted no time in travelling to Dubai. He has since posted numerous videos and images online showcasing an opulent lifestyle. These include posing with former world champion boxer Amir Khan, 39, who shared their photo on his own Instagram, and clutching shopping bags from high-end retailer Burberry.
Gang Glorification and Lavish Displays
In posts to his 110,000 Instagram followers, the rapper is seen making gun-firing and stabbing gestures. In one clip, he states: 'You know what's going on… we do the dippings [stabbings], understand.' Other content shows him enjoying shisha with friends on a glitzy rooftop, wearing £950 Burberry shorts, and showing off a diamond-encrusted necklace hanging from a customised Rolls Royce Phantom.
His music, much of which was recorded via prison phone and details jail life, has amassed millions of streams. Last year, his album 'Tina's Boy' reached number six in the British hip-hop charts while he was still incarcerated. Shaw has admitted that music, not prison, was his rehabilitation, stating he might otherwise have returned to crime.
The Crime and Policy Behind the Deportation
Shaw's conviction stemmed from a 2019 incident where he pointed a gun at rivals in Birmingham, leading to him being stabbed 20 times. He was convicted in 2021 of possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life. His deportation follows a change in the law in June allowing foreign criminals who have served 30% of their sentence to be removed.
The government is seeking to amend laws further to enable immediate deportation post-conviction for some offenders. This policy aims to free up an estimated 500 jail places per year, as foreign nationals constitute around 12% of the prison population. However, serious offenders like terrorists and murderers with indeterminate sentences will continue to serve their time in the UK.
A Home Office spokesperson said: 'This government will not allow foreign criminals and illegal migrants to exploit our laws... All Foreign National Offenders who receive a prison sentence in the UK are referred for deportation at the earliest opportunity.' Shaw, born in Spanish Town, Jamaica, and raised in Birmingham from age two, is now permanently barred from re-entering the UK.
