Life sentences for prisoners who tried to murder guard in terror attack

Two serving prisoners have been handed life sentences for trying to murder a prison officer in an Islamist terrorist attack behind bars.

Brusthom Ziamani, 25, is five years into a 19-year sentence for a 2014 terror plot to behead a soldier inspired by the murder of Fusilier Lee Rigby.

He and fellow Muslim convert Baz Hockton, 26, who was radicalised in jail, attacked prison officer Neil Trundle at maximum security HMP Whitemoor in Cambridgeshire on January 9.

The victim was left covered in blood after he was stabbed and hit by the pair armed with makeshift bladed weapons and wearing fake suicide belts as they shouted: “Allahu Akbar.”

Nurse Jayle Cowles and prison officer Georgina Ibbotson were also hurt as they tried to intervene.

Ziamani admitted assaulting the two women and he and Hockton were both handed life sentences on Thursday after they were found guilty of attempted murder by an Old Bailey jury.

The terror attack is believed to be the first of its kind inside a UK jail, although a homemade IRA bomb was exploded inside Crumlin Road Prison in Belfast in 1991.

Mrs Justice May said Ziamani must serve a minimum 21 years, while Hockton will serve at least 23 years before he is eligible for parole.

She said: “It is quite plain to me that the defendants must have been planning this terrorist operation for some time, preparing fake suicide belts and multiple weapons for the purpose.

“It is no accident the January 9 attack came just weeks after the London Bridge attack in November 2019, when Usman Khan, himself recently a prisoner at HMP Whitemoor, attacked members of the public shouting, ‘Allahu Akbar’, wearing a fake suicide belt, causing him to be shot at the scene.

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Categories: Attack on prison warden, Baz Hockton, Brusthom Ziamani, HMP Whitemoor, Lee Rigby, Life Sentence, News, Preparing fake suicide belts, Usman Khan

Met Police confirm hit-and-run in Ilford is a hate crime

The Metropolitan Police have confirmed to Tell MAMA that it is investigating a hit and run attack on a Muslim woman in Ilford, east London as a hate crime.

A viral tweet shared on October 1 described how the woman hit was wearing a hijab and had been given a dirty look from the driver before the incident occurred, a further tweet described injuries and trauma resulting from the attack.

In a statement published on October 6, the Metropolitan Police confirmed that officers attended the scene at Betchworth Road at 09:29 on September 29.

Officers and members of the London Ambulance Service spoke with the 28-year-old woman, who reported bruising to her knee.

The driver, who failed to stop at the scene, is described as being a white male in his late twenties or early thirties with blond hair and was driving a white Ford Transit van with a passenger inside.

Officers at East Area CID led by Detective Sergeant Dave Parrish continue to investigate, including reviewing the available CCTV, and speaking with the woman, the statement adds.

Anyone who can assist the investigation is urged to call 101, quoting CAD 1820/29Sep. Or, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

You can get advice from our confidential and free helpline on 0800 456 1226. Or through our free iOS or Android apps. Report through our online form. Or contact us via WhatsApp on 0734 184 6086.

The post Met Police confirm hit-and-run in Ilford is a hate crime appeared first on TELL MAMA.

Categories: hate crime, hit and run, Ilford, London, Metropolitan Police, News