Manchester Arena terrorist ‘attacked prison officers with five knives’

Manchester Arena terrorist Hashem Abedi used five makeshift knives to attack prison officers, a court heard.

Abedi, 28, is serving a minimum of 55 years for helping his brother Salman’s suicide attack which killed 22 others at an Ariana Grande concert in 2017.

He is now accused of trying to murder Paul Crampton, Gary Speight and Catherine Herbert at HMP Frankland on 11 April.

Abdedi is also charged with assaulting Craig Thompson causing actual bodily harm.

He was cooking in the prison kitchen when he carried out the attack on four officers.

Officer Crampton suffered stab wounds and burns, Officer Speight suffered serious stab wounds and Officer Herbert suffered burns from what was thought to be melted butter.

Abedi, who had been housed in a separation unit at the maximum security jail in County Durham jail at the time, faces a fifth charge of unauthorised possession of a knife.

The terrorist, who is a serving prisoner at HMP Belmarsh, appeared at Woolwich Crown Court today (fri).

Prosecutors have alleged he twice shouted ‘”Allahu akbar”, meaning “God is greatest”, during the attack.

Abedi spoke to provide his name and date of birth. When asked for his address, he said: “I’m at Belmarsh at the moment.”

He answered “yeah” when asked if it was correct that he intends not to be legally represented.

Abedi was remanded in custody ahead of his next hearing at Old Bailey on 17 October