Latest news with #ThomasCashman
Times
3 days ago
- General
- Times
Prison guard stabbed with knife that was ‘flown in by a drone'
A prison guard has been stabbed by an inmate with a knife believed to have been flown into the jail by a drone. Police are investigating after the prison officer was attacked at Long Lartin, a category A prison in Evesham, Worcestershire, which houses some of the most dangerous criminals in the country. These include Thomas Cashman, who murdered nine-year-old Olivia Pratt-Korbel in Liverpool in 2022, and Vincent Tabak, who killed Joanna Yeates in Bristol in 2010. The officer was airlifted to hospital after the attack, which happened on Friday morning. The guard has undergone emergency surgery, according to the BBC. On Friday night a Prison Service spokesman said that the officer is still in hospital receiving treatment but in a stable condition. A source with knowledge of the prison told MailOnline that the attacker used a flick-knife that was flown into the jail by a drone. The Prison Service was unable to confirm how the knife got into the prison but said that this was a line of inquiry in the police investigation. The attack has renewed calls for the government to allow prison officers to wear stab-proof vests. A 'rapid review' ordered by Shabana Mahmood, the justice secretary, is ongoing but is expected to be given the go-ahead next week. Charlie Taylor, the chief inspector of prisons, warned in January that drones were smuggling drugs and weapons into Long Lartin so frequently that it was posing a threat to national security. He accused the police and Prison Service of ceding control of the airspace above the prison. The watchdog said the jail had a 'thriving' drugs market and CCTV had been allowed to fall into disrepair. It is the latest attack to unfold inside Britain's highest security jails within the last two months and has prompted concern over growing levels of violence. Last month the Manchester Arena bomber Hashem Abedi attacked three prison officers with boiling cooking oil and makeshift knives from within a terrorist separation centre in Frankland prison in Co Durham. A day later a prisoner killed a convicted murderer at Whitemoor prison in Cambridgeshire. Earlier this week two prison officers at the same jail were taken to hospital after two separate attacks. Robert Jenrick, the shadow justice secretary, said the attack at Long Lartin exposed the urgent need to give prison officers stab proof vests. He said: 'Our brave prison officers are lions led by donkeys. The government's shameful refusal to equip them immediately with stab vests is risking lives. It's a disgrace. They must have the protection and powers they need to crack down on these vile offenders. 'How many more officers need to be stabbed before the Ministry of Justice finally gives them stab vests and crackdowns on drones delivering weapons?' A Prison Service spokesman said: 'Police are investigating an attack on a prison officer at HMP Long Lartin. We will not tolerate assaults on hard-working staff and will always push for the strongest punishments against perpetrators.'
The Irish Sun
4 days ago
- The Irish Sun
Prison guard is stabbed by inmate ‘wielding flick knife delivered by drone' in latest attack at high-security jail
A PRISON officer has been stabbed by an inmate wielding a flick-knife feared to have been delivered to a jail by drone. The con plunged the knife into the guard in a brutal attack and it is said to have "nicked" his liver. 4 HMP Long Lartin is home to a number of high-profile criminals, including Vincent Tabak Credit: Handout - Getty 4 Thomas Cashman, who was convicted of killing nine-year-old Olivia Pratt-Korbel dead at her home in Liverpool, is also kept at HMP Long Lartin Credit: PA 4 Just last month, Manchester Arena bomb plotter Hashem Abedi also attacked guards, scalding them at HMP Frankland with hot cooking oil Credit: PA The officer was air-lifted to hospital, with sources saying he was "lucky to survive". Today, he is being treated and is reportedly "stable" after the shocking attack - the latest in Britain's Police are investigating after being called to HMP Long Lartin this morning . A source said: "This is a terrifying and shocking incident and staff are understandably upset. Read More on UK News "The poor chap who was stabbed was covered in blood and had to be air-lifted to hospital. "The attack came out of the blue and was early in the morning after the prisoners were unlocked. "It came out of the blue, with no warning - and no apparent motive. "The member of staff is lucky to have survived particularly given where the blade struck him. Most read in The Sun "It nicked his liver, so it could easily have been a lot worse. "His colleagues raced to his aid and luckily police and ambulance crews got to the prison pretty quickly. "Other members of staff are furious. "They do not feel they are getting the protection the deserve, and they have been warning about drones for ages. "It is a daily occurrence that they are dropping stuff off there - and it is extremely worrying that a flick-knife was delivered. "If that can be dropped off there anything can be. "It is ridiculous - especially at what is meant to be a highly-secure jail. "Prisons are out of control - something needs to be done, and fast." Category A Long Lartin prison in Worcestershire 900 highly-dangerous inmates, including killers and terrorists. Inmates there include ' Suffolk Strangler' Steve Wright , Jordan McSweeney - who murdered Zara Aleena in 2022 - and Joanana Yeates killer Vincent Tabak. The attack comes after Manchester Arena terrorist We told last week how a prison governor suffered a bleed on the brain after an attack at HMP Ranby, Notts. And two weeks ago, the Prison Officer's Association urged action to protect staff 'before there is a fatality' after a spate of further attacks including one which saw a lag slash an officer's throat at HMP Woodhill, Bucks. The union's General Secretary Steve Gillan said: 'Escalating levels of violence are out of control in the prison service in England and Wales . "Prison regimes must be reviewed as a matter of urgency. We need action to protect prison officers before there is a fatality.' The Ministry of Justice has said it is considering the use of tasers and body armour to help staff deal with violent cons. A spokesperson for West Mercia Police said: "We were called to HMP Long Lartin in South Littleton around 10am on Friday, May 30, following a report someone had been assaulted by an inmate. "One man was taken to hospital with serious injuries after sustaining a stab wound. The inmate remains within the prison and the investigation is on-going." A Prison Service spokesperson said: 'Police are investigating an attack on a prison officer at HMP Long Lartin. 'We will not tolerate assaults on hardworking staff and will always push for the strongest punishments against perpetrators." A spokesperson for the "An ambulance, two paramedic officers and the Midlands Air Ambulance from Strensham were sent to the scene. "On arrival, crews found a man who they treated for serious injuries before he was airlifted to hospital for further treatment." 4 A prison guard has been stabbed at HMP Long Lartin in Worcestershire Credit: PA:Press Association
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- General
- Daily Mail
BREAKING NEWS Prison guard is taken to hospital after being stabbed at maximum security jail that holds notorious inmates in latest act of violence in Britain's prison system
A prison officer has been taken to hospital with 'serious injuries' after being stabbed at a jail holding some of Britain's most dangerous offenders. The male warden was assaulted this morning at HMP Long Lartin, where current inmates include Thomas Cashman - murderer of nine-year-old Olivia Pratt-Korbel and Vincent Tabak, who kidnapped and murdered Joanna Yeates. A source with knowledge of the prison told MailOnline that the attacked used a flick-knife brought in by a drone. They said drones were a 'real issue' at the prison and warned that an officer 'would be killed if the problem was not resolved'. 'This happened this morning - a flick-knife got in and a prisoner stabbed an officer,' the source said. 'The governor isn't stopping the drones coming in - they are dropping items to prisoners in their cells. 'Something needs doing because this kind of thing is always happening. A prison officer is going to be killed soon.' The Prison Service confirmed a prison officer had been stabbed but declined to comment on the nature of the weapon while police investigate. They said the officer was stable. A recent inspection of Long Lartin found that the surveillance technology it is using is 'unserviceable' and fails to stop drones from carrying drugs and phones into the grounds. It revealed how jail chiefs have even tried to 'patch up' faulty kit with scrap parts salvaged from other prisons. Inspectors said security at the Worcestershire jail needs urgent upgrades so wings can be monitored adequately. Two-thirds of Long Lartin inmates are serving life sentences, with the rest serving terms of ten years or more. Current prisoners include Jake Fahri, who is serving life for the murder of schoolboy Jimmy Mizen and Suffolk Strangler Steve Wright. Previous inmates have included murderer Jeremy Bamber, terror preacher Abu Hamza, gangster Charlie Kray and Charles Bronson. Inspectors from the Independent Monitoring Board called on the Government, Prison Service and the governor at Long Lartin to 'prioritise' security at the jail. They wrote: 'Minimal attempts have been made to repair obsolete equipment. At times use has been made of outdated components removed from other prisons.' The report went on to say drone deliveries of contraband had 'widened access to drugs and mobile phones' in the jail, causing 'bullying, instability and violence'. It said 86 drones had been spotted, with 31 packages 'intercepted', and both staff and visitors had been caught bringing illicit items in. West Mercia Police said: 'We were called to HMP Long Lartin in South Littleton around 10am this morning (Friday, May 30), following a report someone had been assaulted by an inmate. 'One man was taken to hospital with serious injuries after sustaining a stab wound. The inmate remains within the prison and the investigation is on-going. ' West Midlands Ambulance Service said: 'We were called to reports of a stabbing at a location off Sheenhill Road near South Littleton, Evesham at 8.39am. 'An ambulance, two paramedic officers and the Midlands Air Ambulance from Strensham were sent to the scene. On arrival, crews found a man who they treated for serious injuries before he was airlifted to hospital for further treatment.' A Prison Service spokesperson said: 'Police are investigating an attack on a prison officer at HMP Long Lartin.
BBC News
22-05-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Meeting Prime Minister Keir Starmer was 'surreal', says OIivia's mum
The mother of a nine-year-old girl who was murdered in Liverpool has described a meeting with the prime minister as "surreal" as she continues her campaign to stop criminals refusing to attend sentencing Pratt-Korbel was shot dead in her family home in August 2022 as gunman Thomas Cashman fired shots at a rival drug dealer he was mother Cheryl Korbel met Sir Keir Starmer to discuss her campaign after this week's prime ministers questions, alongside her cousin Antonia ElversonMs Korbel said: "I think I'm still in shock, because we've been thrown into a world we knew nothing about. So even sitting in the House of Commons it's – mouth open, surreal." Ms Korbel began her fight after Olivia's killer Cashman refused to appear in the dock for his sentencing.A new bill has since been introduced in parliament that could give judges additional powers to punish offenders who skip their sentencing. Starmer praised Ms Korbel and said her determination to bring about change would be "heard by the whole world".Ms Korbel's victim impact statement from Cashman's trial was read to the Commons by her MP Anneliese Midgley during a debate on the Victims and Courts Bill Elverson said: "We were actually invited to PMQs by the prime minister. It was important that we were there to hear what he had to say about Cheryl's statement."And as he said, it will be heard around the world. "Then we had a private meeting with Sir Keir afterwards which was a really nice moment." It is not the first time the family have met the prime minister, who last year said the pledge to bring in the law was a "promise" he "intended to keep".Speaking after Wednesday's meeting, Ms Korbel said: "Me as a person, if something needs doing it gets done. "Olivia and the other families who have gone through this are the driving force so other families don't have to go through what we did." In the Commons, Starmer said: "I am always humbled by those with the courage to respond to appalling heartbreak by campaigning for change and I know the whole house will pay tribute to her extraordinary courage and resolve." Listen to the best of BBC Radio Merseyside on Sounds and follow BBC Merseyside on Facebook, X, and Instagram and watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230
BBC News
21-05-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Olivia's Law: Mum backs sanctions for killers who skip sentencing
Plans to stop prison visits for criminals who refuse to attend their sentencing hearing have been supported by the mother of a murdered nine-year-old Korbel, whose daughter Olivia Pratt-Korbel was fatally shot by Thomas Cashman in Dovecot, Liverpool, in August 2022, said: "If we want to see our loved ones, we have to visit a cemetery but they still have the right to see their family."Cashman refused to attend court to be sentenced in April 2023, prompting Olivia's family to campaign for a change in the Minister Sir Keir Starmer praised Ms Korbel, saying her determination to bring about change would be "heard by the whole world". Olivia was fatally shot by Cashman when he chased a fellow drug dealer into her home on 22 August Law is part of the Victims and Courts Bill which is progressing through Parliament. It would mean that criminals who refuse to attend sentencing, or disrupt hearings in England and Wales, could face an additional two years in prison as well as other sanctions, including missing out on family Korbel told BBC Radio Merseyside: "If we want to see our loved ones that aren't here anymore we have to go to a cemetery, but they still have the right to see their family. "If they are going to object to coming up (for sentencing) then that sanction should be put in place."The proposed legislation had its second reading in the House of Commons on Tuesday. Her MP Anneliese Midgley, who represents Knowsley, spoke in the speech included the victim impact statement which Ms Korbel read at Cashman's sentencing hearing, despite him not being in court to hear Korbel and her cousin Antonia Elverson were also present for Prime Minister's Questions on Wednesday, where Midgley asked the Starmer to commit Olivia's Law to the statue books "as soon as possible".Starmer welcomed Olivia's family to the House of Commons before adding: "I am always humbled by those with the courage to respond to appalling heartbreak by campaigning for change and I know the whole house will pay tribute to her extraordinary courage and resolve."He thanked Midgley for reading Ms Korbel's victim impact statement "because I know from talking to Cheryl how hard it was for her to make in the first place". The prime minister went on: "It took a huge amount of courage and grief, and she wanted to read that statement to the perpetrator as she should have been able to do, and I know how visceral the pain is to her of not being able to have done so." Starmer said: "Cowards who commit these heinous crimes should face the consequences of their actions and that's why we will force offenders to attend sentencing hearings." 'So poignant' Midgley said she wanted to read the statement in full to ensure the words were forever recorded in Hansard, the Parliamentary record."They were words she was denied saying to the murderer of her child in court, and spearheaded her campaign to get the law changed," said the Labour MP, adding that she hoped it would bring Ms Korbel "a sense of justice" that "she was denied". Ms Korbel said hearing her words read in Parliament had been "one of the hardest moments" of her campaign. Ms Elverson said: "It's so poignant because those words are going to go down in history. "They will be there for anyone to research and when we are gone for our family to look back on." She said it had been "really difficult" because "it did take us back" to the time of Cashman's said there were provisions in the Bill which would mean that, as well as having their sentence extended, offenders who refused to attend sentencing hearings could face unlimited fines and lose privileges including family visits and social said the Bill had received cross-party support from more scrutiny, the draft law will return to the Commons for a third and final reading. Listen to the best of BBC Radio Merseyside on Sounds and follow BBC Merseyside on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
