Inmates in court over attempted murder of prison officer at HMP Whitemoor in terror attack

Two Whitemoor prisoners have appeared in court yesterday (Wednesday) charged with attempting to murder a prison officer in a terror attack at the maximum security jail.

Baz Macaulay Hockton, 26, formerly of Wellington Crescent, Ramsgate, is alleged to have teamed up with a fellow inmate at the March prison and donned a fake suicide vest during the January 9 ambush.

He has been serving time since 2016 and was residing at 400-inmate HMP Whitemoor when the attack happened. Together with 24-year-old Londoner Brusthom Ziamani, Hockton is alleged to have set upon a male officer who sustained stab and slash wounds to his head, chest and face.

Two female prison officers were injured as they rushed to his aid and Ziamani is also charged with ABH and assault in relation to those incidents.

Appearing at Westminster Magistrates’ Court the pair shook hands in the dock before speaking only to confirm their details.

Prosecutor Angela England alleged: "Both men were wearing improvised suicide belts that they had constructed. They were not explosive."

She added: "Both had improvised weapons that were manufactured by those men or obtained by them. There were three weapons, one which was a large plastic white handle object known as a 'shank.' It usually contains a slashing or a razor blade type edge."

She also told of a"sharp metal" object used, with fabric tied around both ends as a handle.

Neither of the prisoners entered a plea and will next appear at the Old Bailey. Chief magistrate and senior district judge Emma Arbuthnot said: "The next appearance will be at the Old Bailey, the central criminal court, on April 8.

"That will be a short hearing where you will be asked to enter your pleas no doubt. No bail obviously, you are serving prisoners so you cannot be expecting to have bail."

The Met Police confirmed the investigation is being led by Counter Terrorism Command.