Prisoners convicted of attempting to murder prison officer in HMP Whitemoor terror attack
Two men, including a man previously jailed for an Isis-inspired terror plot, wore fake suicide vests during the attack
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Two prisoners have been found guilty of trying to kill a prison officer in a terror attack inside a maximum-security jail.
Brusthom Ziamani and Baz Hockton had denied attempted murder but were convicted by a jury on Wednesday after just three hours of deliberations.
The Old Bailey heard how they launched a brutal attack on prison officer Neil Trundle using homemade weapons and wearing fake suicide vests at HMP Whitemoor.
Ziamani and Hockton shouted “Allahu akbar” during the attack on 9 January, while Ziamani was carrying a translation of an Isis suicide bomber’s last words in his pocket.
The two men did not react as the jury’s verdict was read out, but could be seen smiling as they were sent to the cells. Mrs Justice May will sentence them on Thursday.
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Ziamani, 25, was serving a 22-year sentence for plotting another Isis-inspired terror attack, where he planned to behead a British soldier in 2015.
He admitted translating and distributing Isis propaganda from his prison cell during his latest trial, raising fresh questions over radicalisation inside jails.
The assault at HMP Whitemoor was one of 12 terror attacks in Britain since 2017, and one of four carried out by former or serving prisoners in the past year.
Despite mounting concerns, the government is pressing ahead with laws that would see terrorists spend more time in prison without reviewing security measures or deradicalisation programmes.
Despite Ziamani’s continued extremism and use of an illicit SD card containing Isis videos and other Islamist propaganda, no concerns had been flagged.
At a session as part of a programme for terrorist prisoners two days before the attack, a forensic psychologist discussed a ceremony for him to receive a “certificate of achievement” after appearing to engage well and participate in educational opportunities.
The court heard that Hockton had converted to Islam while in prison, and that his faith “had been corrupted into extremism and he had been radicalised”.
Ziamani, who first met Hockton through criminal associates in 2013, is also a convert and was previously part of the banned al-Muhajiroun Islamist network.
Both men had hoarded extremist material in their cells, including references to martyrdom and Isis propaganda.
Hockton had a prayer asking Allah to make “me and you of the best shuhada [martyrs] very very very soon”.
The handwritten note that Ziamani carried in his pocket during the terror attack included the line: “O Muslims, know the kuffar [disbelievers] are not safe wherever they are in their streets, offices, entertainment hubs… their blood is not protected so there is no sin upon a Muslim who slays them.”
The Old Bailey heard that they asked a prison officer for a spoon “as a ruse” to make him go to a storage cupboard, where they hoped to force him inside and murder him.
Mr Trundle managed to resist being pushed in and shouted for help as the pair started to rain down blows on his head, neck and chest with bladed weapons.
Ziamani and Hockton then attacked and chased off two prison officers and a nurse who ran to the aid of their colleague.
Ziamani opened up his jacket to reveal a fake suicide vest and shouted “I’ve got a bomb”, and attempted to continue the assault on Mr Trundle before they were both overpowered.
Jurors were shown CCTV footage and a video from Mr Trundle’s body-worn camera showing him screaming for help, as well as graphic photos of blood splattered up the wall and covering the floor where he fell.
Mr Trundle, who was treated in hospital for lacerations to his head, shoulder and arms, was described as a “kind and helpful” prison officer who had been working in jails for more than 17 years and had no dispute with either attacker.
He said the guilty verdicts were a “huge relief” and that justice had been served, adding: “I know that this is just one small step of a long journey in my recovery.
“Both physically and mentally, I now find myself unable to carry out my duties as a prison officer and I do not know if I will ever be able to again. I have all sorts of side-effects that I have no idea how to deal with.”
Mr Trundle gave his thanks to the jury and paid tribute to the colleagues that risked their lives to intervene, adding: “If it was not for their bravery and instant response, I am convinced I would not be here today.”
Giving evidence at the trial, Ziamani claimed that he had launched the attack in order to move prison and had been translating Isis propaganda to practise his French.
He claimed that HMP Whitemoor had become hostile to Muslims in the wake of former inmate Usman Khan's terror attack at Fishmongers Hall last November, but prison officials denied his claims.
Hockton did not give evidence but in a note found in his cell, he had written: “Can’t stand anything in uniform and if I see a cop on the wing I’m stick a spike in his head like a unicorn.”
Commander Richard Smith, head of Scotland Yard’s Counter Terrorism Command, said: “This was a calculated and horrific attack by two prisoners who had one aim – to try and murder prison staff.
“I would like to pay tribute to the outstanding professionalism and bravery of the courageous prison staff who responded to the incident. Their quick and selfless actions saved the life of their colleague that day.”