Prisoner Faces Testicle Loss After Vicious Attack by Inmates at HMP Berwyn
A prisoner serving time at HMP Berwyn for seriously injuring a baby is now facing the potential surgical removal of a testicle after being savagely attacked by four fellow inmates. The brutal assault, which was premeditated and filmed on a mobile phone, occurred in the victim's cell at the Wrexham prison in February 2024.
Details of the Vicious Assault
Caernarfon Crown Court heard that the attack on Qasim Afzal was so severe that one of his testicles had effectively died and may require surgical removal. Prosecutor Oliver King described how the defendants entered Afzal's cell and launched a sustained assault involving kicks, punches, and stamps, leaving him with no means of escape. The court was informed that the beating lasted nearly a minute and included the use of a makeshift weapon.
Judge Timothy Petts revealed that the assault was planned as a punishment for Afzal's prior crime of attacking a four-month-old baby, with the intent to serve as an example to others. Interestingly, Afzal had been warned about the impending attack and was given an improvised weapon to defend himself, but he was still overpowered by the four assailants.
Sentencing and Defendant Backgrounds
The four attackers—Zayn Abu-Manahim, 30; Zaheer Hussain, 28; Farhar Khan, 29; and Russell Lloyd, 34—were all sentenced after pleading guilty to causing grievous bodily harm without intent. Each received an additional two and a half years in prison, to run consecutively with their existing sentences, thereby delaying their earliest release dates and extending their time on licence upon release.
Abu-Manahim, who filmed the attack, has a lengthy criminal record with 53 convictions for 85 offences, including battery, assault, and robbery. His defence argued that he played a non-violent role in the incident and highlighted delays in the case.
Hussain, with 16 convictions for 33 offences such as wounding with intent, has completed a programme addressing violent offending and expressed a desire to move forward with his life.
Lloyd, who has 21 convictions for 39 offences including threats to kill, has used his seven years in custody to better himself and maintains contact with his three children.
Khan, with four convictions for drugs offences and no history of violence, claimed he was being bullied at HMP Berwyn and had sought a transfer. His defence noted his participation in self-improvement courses during custody.
Judge's Remarks on the Attack
Judge Petts emphasised the premeditated nature of the assault, stating that it was clearly planned to film and share on WhatsApp. He viewed the act of filming as equally culpable as the physical violence, underscoring the severity of the injuries inflicted. The most serious injury resulted from a stamp to the right testicle, which has effectively died and is likely to need surgical removal, the judge explained, highlighting the brutal consequences of the attack.
This case sheds light on the ongoing issues of violence within the prison system and the complex backgrounds of inmates involved in such incidents.
