Payout for killer stabbed in jail

Payout for killer stabbed in jail

The inmate was stabbed in Edinburgh Prison

A convicted murderer who was stabbed 22 times by other inmates has been awarded more than £7,000 in damages.

Robert Raiker, 37, had been attacked during a free time session at Edinburgh Prison in 1997, the city's sheriff court heard.

In a judgement released on Thursday, Sheriff James Farrell ruled that a prison officer had failed to supervise the area when the attack took place.

He ordered Scotland's justice ministers to pay Raiker £7,250.

Raiker, from the Muirhouse area of Edinburgh, was 18 years old when he and another man beat and stabbed 17-year-old Brian Lindsay to death in a fight at a disco in 1984.

He was jailed for life and sentenced to a further 12 years after leading a riot at Perth Prison four years later in which he and other inmates took a warder hostage.

Raiker was subjected to a carefully planned attack by up to four inmates who put a pillow case and towel over his head and stabbed him.

Up to four inmates pounced on Raiker

Sheriff Farrell said a prison officer had failed to supervise the recreation area when the attack happened on 19 September, 1997.

The court heard that Raiker, who launched a civil action for damages, was attacked in his cell after returning from the shower rooms.

The attackers waited until he began pulling a shirt on and then pounced on him.

He was stabbed repeatedly by the men, who said they wanted to kill him.

Raiker was taken to hospital and treated for multiple wounds, including damaged lungs.

The court heard that other inmates had distracted prison officers to allow the attack to take place.

Sheriff Farrell ordered Scottish ministers, who manage the prison service, to pay Raiker £7,250.