Prisons are supposed to be secure places where order is maintained, but sometimes violence erupts with deadly consequences.
That’s exactly what happened at HMP Fosse Way in Leicestershire, where a shocking murder took place inside the prison walls.
The incident involved two inmates and ended in the tragic death of a 31-year-old man.
The Fatal Attack Caught on CCTV
On August 20 last year, Ashirie Smith, a 19-year-old prisoner, was seen on CCTV leaving his cell with a chilling smirk.
Just moments later, he launched a brutal assault on fellow inmate Mahir Abdulrahman, 31.
Smith stamped repeatedly on Abdulrahman’s head and neck, inflicting horrific injuries.
The attack happened inside Abdulrahman’s cell, and within an hour, the victim died on the scene.
The Victim’s Final Moments
A female prison officer discovered Abdulrahman unresponsive around 7:45 in the morning.
Emergency services rushed to the scene, but despite their efforts, Abdulrahman suffered a cardiac arrest and passed away shortly after.
The post-mortem revealed he died from severe bleeding in his brain, caused by the assault.
What Led to the Attack
Court proceedings revealed that Abdulrahman had been subjected to taunts from Smith and another prisoner, Thierry Robinson, aged 21.
The tension escalated when Abdulrahman threw a hot kettle at the two men. The following day, Smith launched his deadly attack.
CCTV footage showed Robinson smirking outside Smith’s cell before entering Abdulrahman’s cell topless.
Within 37 seconds, Smith and Robinson walked away calmly, leaving Abdulrahman behind seriously injured.
Smith was even seen re-entering the cell briefly after the attack.
The Court Verdicts and Sentences
Following a thorough investigation, Smith was convicted of murder and sentenced to life imprisonment, with a minimum term of 17 and a half years.
Robinson was found not guilty of murder but was convicted of manslaughter, receiving an 11-year sentence.
A third man, Shaan Karim, 38, was acquitted of both murder and manslaughter charges.
Authorities Respond to the Tragedy
Detective Inspector Mark Parish from the East Midlands Special Operations Unit described the attack as “serious and sustained,” which ultimately led to Abdulrahman’s death.
He praised the investigation team for securing convictions and holding the perpetrators accountable.
Prison Officials Express Condolences and Commitment
Wyn Jones, Director of Serco Prison, expressed deep sorrow over the incident, calling the murder “a heinous act.”
He extended condolences to Abdulrahman’s family and vowed to work closely with law enforcement to ensure justice is served.
Jones also hoped the court’s verdict would help bring some closure to those affected by the tragedy.