Violent Birmingham rapper asks about early release after threatening to stab cop in the neck

Akim Nicholson, aged 35, from Tyseley, has carried out more than 60 offences such as kidnap, grievous bodily harm and robbery while his latest spree includes affray, revenge porn and making threats with a knife

A violent Birmingham rapper jailed after threatening to stab police officers in the neck had the audacity to ask if he was eligible for early release. Akim Nicholson was sentenced to four years yesterday for a string of crimes including a sickening revenge porn offence and causing a six-hour police standoff atop a pub roof.

While marking his 35th birthday at Birmingham Crown Court via a video link from HMP Birmingham he asked at the end of this morning's hearing: "Judge, how long have I got? Can you make it clear?"

Judge Paul Farrer KC, having just announced the sentence, repeated that he would serve up to half of the four-year time in custody before being released on licence. Nicholson, who has already served more than eight months while on remand, replied: "Do I get that 40 per cent release or na?"

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The judge answered by confirming that the Early Release Scheme was not a matter for the court. It comes after hundreds of inmates were released from prisons in England and Wales in September after serving 40 per cent of their sentences, when they would usually serve 50 per cent in custody.

The move, which is to help relieve chronic overcrowding in jails, was confirmed by the new Labour government in July after the General Election although plans had already been drawn up under the Conservatives. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer declared he was 'truly shocked' by the state of prisons and said it was a 'basic duty' for the government to provide enough places for criminals sentenced to custody.

He added the scheme would help avoid an 'absolute crisis' in the justice system. However, it does not apply to sex offenders and those committed of violent crimes.

Nicholson, of Holcombe Road, Tyseley, had uploaded an explicit video compilation of a woman performing a sex act to his social media profiles. He urged others to share it and tagged the victim in before telling her 'you're finished' and 'your whole year just got ruined'.

The woman spoke of her humiliation and how she felt like moving home and quitting her job. She stated the 'shame' of potentially millions of people having viewed indecent material of her would never leave her.

Nicholas, an aspiring rapper, was wanted for the crime on January 16 this year when he stayed at the Kingstanding Inn to hide out. Police came across him there by chance and tried to detain him.

But Nicholson punched one of them in the face and brandished a knife at the constables who fell down a flight of steps trying to detain him.

Nicholson 'overpowered' them and then climbed out of a window onto the pub roof where he remained for more than six hours. A large cordon was placed around the pub as dog, taser and riot units were deployed to the scene.

Nicholson warned 'the first copper up here is getting it' and further threatened 'I’ll get one of ya in the neck', 'this knife is for a copper today'. During the siege he hurled down bricks, rubble and a fire extinguisher like missiles smashing windows, damaging a force vehicle and striking one officer in the head. He finally surrendered in the evening.

Nicholson already had 26 previous convictions for 58 offences including inflicting grievous bodily harm, robbery and kidnapping. For his latest spree he admitted three counts of assaulting an emergency worker, making threats with a knife, racially aggravated abuse, affray and criminal damage. He was found guilty of disclosing a private sexual film after trial.

Ekwall Tiwana, defending, stated Nicholson had a 'troubled' mental health history, come from a 'broken home' and suffered childhood trauma. He also confirmed he had been stabbed and had spent time in prison aged 15 for a crime he did not commit.

But Judge Farrer ruled his mental health did not prevent Nicholson from 'making rational decisions, exercising judgement or understanding the potential consequences of your actions'.