According to major media reports, Qasim Afzal was savagely attacked in his cell, with one of his testicles having died and potentially requiring surgical removal. Judge Timothy Petts stated the assault was premeditated and carried out in response to Afzal having attacked and injured a four-month-old baby. Zayn Abu-Manahim, Zaheer Hussain, Farhar Khan, and Russell Lloyd were all sentenced after pleading guilty to causing grievous bodily harm without intent.
Prosecutor Oliver King said the defendants entered the victim's cell and launched a sustained attack of kicks and punches. Judge Petts noted the attack was filmed on a mobile phone with a plan to share it on WhatsApp. The victim had been warned about the attack and was given an improvised weapon to try and defend himself, according to Judge Petts.
He had no escape.
Abu-Manahim had 53 convictions for 85 offences, including battery, ABH, attempted robbery, possession of a weapon, robbery, affray, and assaulting an emergency worker. Hussain had 16 convictions for 33 offences, including battery, assault, wounding with intent, and possession of a blade. Lloyd had 21 convictions for 39 offences, including robbery, attempted robbery, ABH, battery, and making threats to kill.
Khan had four convictions for 12 offences related to drugs. Gareth Morley, defending Abu-Manahim, said his client had played a different role in filming the incident with no violence attributed to him. Euros Jones, defending Hussain, said he had completed a programme addressing violent offending and was keen to move forward with his life.
John Wyn Williams, defending Russell, said he had spent seven years in custody and used that time to better himself. Buntry Bantra, acting for Khan, noted he had no convictions for violence and claimed he was being bullied at HMP Berwyn. The specific sentences given to each attacker and Afzal's current medical condition, including whether surgery has occurred, have not been disclosed.