The younger brother of the Manchester Arena bomber has pleaded not guilty to attempting to murder three prison officers in a vicious attack behind bars.
Brutal Prison Assault Rocks High-Security Jail
Hashem Abedi, 28, appeared via video link from HMP Belmarsh at the Old Bailey, flanked by riot-gear guards. He faces charges over a savage assault on staff at HMP Frankland, County Durham, on April 12.
The convicted terrorist, serving a 55-year minimum sentence for his role in the 2017 Manchester Arena bombing that killed 22, showed no emotion as prosecutors laid out the violent attack during a supervised prison kitchen session.
“Allahu Akbar” Shouted as Guards Were Attacked
Prosecutor Jocelyn Ledward KC revealed Abedi shouted “Allahu Akbar” twice before launching his sudden, unprovoked assault. Officers Paul Crampton, Gary Speight, and Catherine Herbert were targeted, as well as a fourth, Craig Thompson.
Held in a separation unit, Abedi armed himself with makeshift weapons and hot oil. Chilling CCTV and bodycam footage captured the terrifying attack in full.
Serious Injuries to Prison Staff
- Paul Crampton suffered stab wounds and severe burns.
- Gary Speight was seriously stabbed.
- Catherine Herbert was burnt, reportedly by melted butter thrown at her.
Prosecutors stressed there were no known disputes between Abedi and the officers. His extremist mindset remains clear, citing his 2020 conviction linked to the deadly terror attack.
Defiant Abedi Shuns Legal Counsel
Dressed in a plain grey prison tracksuit, Abedi shocked the court by choosing to represent himself. “Yeah, basically I don’t want to attend anyway, that is what it is,” he told the judge when questioned about having no lawyer.
Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb warned him of the perils of self-representation, urging him to consider the risk of damaging evidence being admitted. “If you fail to attend your trial, it can go ahead without you,” she said, reminding him his trial date is January 30, 2026.
From Terror Plotter to Prison Menace
Hashem Abedi was convicted for aiding his brother, Salman Abedi, the suicide bomber who killed 22 at the Ariana Grande concert in Manchester in 2017. The attack left hundreds wounded, including many children.
His 55-year minimum sentence is the longest ever handed to someone under 21, reflecting the horror of his terrorist crimes.
Next Steps: Trial Set for January 2027
Abedi remains locked up at HMP Belmarsh as his new trial is scheduled to start on January 18, 2027. Expected to last two to three weeks, the case has sparked fresh fears over how dangerous inmates are managed—especially when given access to kitchen tools that can be turned into weapons.
