Guards injured in prison violence

Durham Police are now investigating

Four guards were injured as violence broke out between inmates at a high security prison.

A brawl broke out at Durham's Frankland after a cell was set alight and three prisoners attacked another inmate last week, the prison service has confirmed.

It is understood the cell was that of convicted al-Qaeda terrorist Kamel Bourgass, who is serving life for the murder of a special branch detective.

Durham Police are now investigating the two incidents on Friday.

A force spokesman said: "During the disturbance one inmate was slashed across the face and another was punched and kicked.

Due to staff's swift and courageous response the incident was quickly resolved Prison Service spokesman

"A number of prison officers who intervened were injured, one suffering a broken arm.

"Our inquiries into the incident are yet to be completed."

A Prison Service spokesman confirmed that there had been a cell fire early on Friday afternoon, which was followed by fighting about five hours later.

He said: "A fire was discovered in a cell. The incident was dealt with quickly, with no injuries to staff or prisoners.

Skin grafts

"We can confirm an incident took place when three prisoners assaulted another prisoner.

"Due to staff's swift and courageous response the incident was quickly resolved.

"Four members of staff and two prisoners required hospital treatment."

Last month, convicted bomb plotter Omar Khyam had his jail sentence extended for throwing boiling oil over a fellow inmate at the prison in October last year.

This followed a similar incident at the prison in July last year when al-Qaeda inmate Dhiren Barot was seriously burned with oil.

He needed skin grafts, but an assault charge against another inmate was dropped on the request of Barot.