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Oake killer's cell torched

Mike Keegan
2/ 7/2008

THE prison cell of the al-Qaida terrorist who murdered hero police officer Stephen Oake has been torched.

Kamel Bourgass, 34, who stabbed the Special Branch detective to death during a raid at a Crumpsall flat, escaped injury in the blaze.

But it is thought that the attack triggered a riot which left four prison guards and two inmates in hospital.

As news of the fire spread at Frankland prison, County Durham, an inmate was slashed across the cheek - prompting fights to break out.

Prison officers moved in to break up the brawl but the inmates turned on the guards, and one of them suffered a broken arm.

Bourgass is serving a life sentence after killing Greater Manchester Police officer DC Oake, 40, in January 2003.

He was stabbed eight times in the chest. Bourgass was also jailed for 15 years for the attempted murder and wounding of three other police officers.

He lost an appeal against his sentence in 2005.

The incident is the latest to hit the north east prison.

In April, a haul of lethal weapons was seized from inmates when racial tensions in the prison reached fever pitch, with clashes between Asian and white inmates.

A Durham Police spokesman said: "Detectives from the force are investigating a fracas among inmates at Frankland prison on Friday.

"During the disturbance one inmate was slashed across the face and another was punched and kicked.

"A number of prison officers who intervened were injured. One of them suffered a broken arm and our enquiries are yet to be complete."

A spokesman for the Prison Service hailed staff for their `quick and courageous response'.

He added: "The incident was quickly resolved. Four members of staff and two prisoners required hospital treatment. The matter has been referred to the police for investigation."