Terror gang let off over prison attack
By Justin Penrose, Crime Correspondent 02/09/2007

A gang of Al-Qaeda terrorists who beat four prison officers with pool cues will not be prosecuted, because it is "not in the public interest".

Tariq Al-Daour - jailed for inciting terrorism - led six thugs at Belmarsh Prison in the attack which left one officer with a shattered cheekbone and another with deep cuts in his shoulder.

The incident was caught on CCTV and witnesses have come forward - but the Crown Prosecution Service has refused to prosecute.

Lawyers told the victims that prosecuting the terrorists there was "not a realistic prospect of conviction". Prison officers believe authorities are too afraid to tackle the Muslim gangs in case they antagonise them.

One said: "They're letting these thugs get away with beating these officers to a pulp. They are treated like untouchables in the system. It will just lead to more violence."

A spokesman for the CPS said: "This matter could be dealt with by the prison's internal processes."

A magistrate at an internal hearing can impose a sentence of 56 days - but if the suspects had been tried for grievous bodily harm they faced up to seven years.
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