A convicted murderer who held a prison officer hostage has been granted £240,000 in compensation and legal fees, funded by taxpayers. Fuad Awale was sentenced to life for the fatal shooting of two teenagers in 2013 and received an additional six-year term for threatening a prison officer. Awale argued that being placed in a high-security unit for dangerous inmates at HMP Woodhill caused him severe depression.
The High Court ruled in Awale’s favor, citing a breach of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) Article 8. This decision led to a compensation award of £7,500 and legal costs amounting to £234,000. Shadow justice secretary Robert Jenrick criticized the payout, emphasizing that taxpayers should not be funding a convicted murderer’s compensation and legal expenses.
Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Secretary David Lammy disclosed the compensation details in a letter to Mr. Jenrick. Awale, who was convicted at the age of 25 for the double murder, later held a prison officer hostage by threatening to kill him. Awale, identified as having extremist beliefs, was closely monitored while incarcerated in HMP Woodhill, Milton Keynes.
Awale’s legal team successfully argued that the decisions restricting his access to other inmates lacked transparency and violated his rights. Despite his request to associate with another extremist prisoner being denied, Awale’s legal battle for compensation prevailed, with the £7,500 being considered a modest sum within the overall settlement.
Mr. Lammy assured that policy adjustments are being considered to ensure the legality and effectiveness of separating inmates with extremist backgrounds.
