DISGRACED community leader Michael Eke could be released from prison as early as next month having served less than six months of an 18 month sentence. Sources within the Prison Service confirmed that Eke could be freed from Chelmsford Prison on February

DISGRACED community leader Michael Eke could be released from prison as early as next month having served less than six months of an 18 month sentence.

Sources within the Prison Service confirmed that Eke could be freed from Chelmsford Prison on February 19 - just five months and two weeks after being jailed.

If Eke, a former head of the March ATC, and described as a "model prisoner", is released, he will be subject to a Home Detention Curfew, in other words he will wear a tag for another five months.

If he is not released on curfew, he will not be released until July 8, said the prison source.

The Home Office decision to consider him for an early release will mean he is restricted to where he lives, must provide police with up to date information as to his whereabouts, and will only be able to change the terms of his 'licence' by application to the police.

One person not waiting to see him upon his release will be his sister, Beryl Hudson, of Whittlesey, who says she has disowned him after he was found guilty of fraud and deception and of faking an application for an MBE, an honour the Queen recently revoked.

Eke must also prepare for a further court battle, this time over his assets and a provisional court date of February 2 has now been set at Norwich Crown Court for a hearing.

Cambridgeshire Police Fraud Team has prepared an application to recover some of Eke's assets after he was convicted of obtaining £66,000 over four years by deception.

Eke has said he plans to return to his Plover Drive home but has promised not to get involved in community events.