Prison Officer Brutally Attacked by Trio at HMP Belmarsh
A prison officer suffered serious injuries in a savage attack by three inmates at HMP Belmarsh on 11 May 2020.
Attack Details: Chair Swinging and Head Kicks
- Hashem Abedi, 24, Ahmed Hassan, 22, and Muhammed Saeed, 23, unleashed a frenzied assault on the officer.
- The victim was punched, kicked, headbutted, and even hit with a chair swung by Abedi.
- He sustained facial and head injuries, bruising, and lasting hearing damage requiring hospital treatment.
Convictions and Sentences
- All three men were found guilty of actual bodily harm.
- Abedi was additionally convicted of assaulting an emergency worker — another prison officer who intervened.
- Abedi was jailed for three years and 10 months, to run alongside his current sentence.
- Hassan and Saeed each received three years in prison, served consecutively.
Investigation Reveals Motive and Praises Staff
The Met’s Counter Terrorism Command led the investigation due to the trio’s criminal history but found no links to terrorism.
Officers concluded the inmates attacked the officer in retaliation for losing prison privileges, believing others were favoured.
Commander Richard Smith, Met’s Counter Terrorism Command, said: “These three offenders launched a cowardly and vicious attack on a prison officer as retribution for having some of their privileges taken away. One witness described it as a ‘frenzied’ attack. I have no doubt they intended serious harm.
“I praise the prison staff who acted quickly to stop the assault and regain control. We worked closely with the prison service to ensure justice was served.”
The attack came soon after Abedi complained about downgraded privileges during a meeting with the prison governor and staff.
Later that day, as the trio returned to their cells after exercise time, they suddenly charged towards the officer’s office to carry out the brutal assault.
From Court Appearance to Guilty Verdict
The defendants faced Westminster Magistrates’ Court in April 2021, before being found guilty at Woolwich Crown Court on 22 February following a full trial.
