Inmates jailed for prison mutiny

Seven inmates who caused more than £50,000 of damage when trying to take control of a Rutland prison have been given sentences totalling more than 18 years.

The group, who were being held at HMP Stocken, each pleaded guilty to a charge of participating in prison mutiny at an earlier hearing and were sentenced today (Wednesday 6 April).

At around 5pm on 18 January 2020, Varldo Araujo climbed onto the safety netting on one of the landings before hitting a prison officer with a metal bar. The wing of the prison was subsequently locked down, with staff ordered to leave for their own safety.

A number of other prisoners then climbed onto the safety netting and began throwing furniture and emptying rubbish onto the landing. Liquids were also poured onto the floor to try and prevent prison officers from entering the wing, while washing machines and dryers were dragged from the laundry room and damaged. A pool table was also damaged and lights and CCTV cameras were smashed.

Eggs were also thrown at two prison officers by Araujo.

More than 80 additional prison officers were brought in to bring the wing back under control. A review of CCTV footage which captured the incident identified all those involved. At Leicester Crown Court:

• Varldo Araujo, 30, was also charged with – and pleaded guilty to – one count of causing actual bodily harm and two counts of assaulting an emergency worker. He was sentenced to 66 months
• Tommi Harradine, 24, was sentenced to 52 months
• Abdirahman Hassan, 24, was sentenced to 44 months
• Feddell Gilligan, 31, was sentenced to 42 months
• Ishmael Brown, 32, was sentenced to 16 months
• David Rhoden, 36, was sentenced to seven months

All those above are still serving prisoners.

A seventh man – 25-year-old Adnan Sharif of Cowley Road in Ilford, London – was subsequently released on licence, but was today sentenced to 44 months.

Detective Inspector Deb Hubbard, the senior investigating officer, said: “All involved will now be serving further time in prison because of what they did that day – and I hope they take time to reflect on the consequences of their actions.

“Violent behaviour in prison and particularly towards prison staff simply won’t be tolerated and we will endeavour to bring those responsible to justice.

“I would like to thank HMP Stocken and the Ministry of Justice for their co-operation throughout our investigation.”

Prisons Minister, Victoria Atkins, added: “This was appalling behaviour that culminated in a cowardly attack on one of our brave, frontline officers, and it is absolutely right that all involved will spend more time behind bars as a result.

“Assaults on our hard-working staff and the wilful destruction of prison property will never be tolerated and we will always pursue the strongest possible punishment.”