Prisoner given more time behind bars after attacking officer at HMP Five Wells
Zakariya Mahamed was due to be released in March this year
A serving prisoner has been found guilty following an unprovoked attack on a prison custody officer at HMP Five Wells in Northamptonshire.
Following a 6-day trial at Northampton Crown Court, the jury returned their verdict yesterday (Wednesday, August 5) and unanimously found Zakariya Mahamed guilty of Section 18 – wounding with intent.
However, Mahamed was found not guilty of the more serious charge of attempted murder.
Following the verdict, the 28-year-old was handed an extended sentence used for offenders convicted of specific offences who are deemed to be extremely dangerous.
Mahamed’s sentence consists of six years and six months' imprisonment with an extension period of two years and six months on licence.
During the trial, CCTV footage from Tuesday, March 11, 2025, showed Mahamed follow the prison officer across the wing before launching an unprovoked attack, striking him several times to the head and neck before being restrained by other prisoners.
The prison officer, a man in his 30s, sustained injuries to his head and neck during the incident and received treatment for his injuries.
Following an investigation led by Counter Terrorism Policing East Midlands, Mahamed was subsequently charged with attempted murder and Section 18 – wounding with intent and his case was committed to Northampton Crown Court for trial.
Lead investigator Detective Inspector Kieron Pearl, of CTPEM said: "This was an extremely serious incident which left the victim with significant injuries.
“The defendant sought to deny an intention to seriously harm the victim, however the evidence presented to the court clearly demonstrated what had occurred. We welcome the conviction and hope it provides reassurance that violent offending within prisons will be robustly investigated and prosecuted."
Mahamed was serving a five-year and three-month sentence for a robbery in Walsall at the time of this incident after producing a knife and demanding money.
He was due for release in March 2026 but remained in prison awaiting trial.