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Security guard dies after attack at Blackfriars Crown Court Security guard dies after attack at Blackfriars Crown Court
(about 1 hour later)
A prisoner custody officer who was attacked outside a court in central London has died.A prisoner custody officer who was attacked outside a court in central London has died.
Lorraine Barwell, 54, was assaulted on Monday as she escorted a prisoner between Blackfriars Crown Court and a prison van. Lorraine Barwell, 54, was assaulted on Monday as she escorted a prisoner from Blackfriars Crown Court to a van.
Humphrey Burke, 22, appeared at Camberwell Green Magistrates' Court on Wednesday charged with causing grievous bodily harm. Humphrey Burke, 22, had appeared at Camberwell Green Magistrates' Court on Wednesday charged with causing grievous bodily harm.
It is believed she is the first prisoner custody officer to die in the line of duty.
Justice Secretary Michael Gove said Ms Barwell was "courageous and dedicated".Justice Secretary Michael Gove said Ms Barwell was "courageous and dedicated".
The Serco security guard was working with other team members preparing to escort a prisoner to a van parked inside the courtyard.The Serco security guard was working with other team members preparing to escort a prisoner to a van parked inside the courtyard.
She was treated at the scene by London's Air Ambulance and had been in a critical condition in hospital since the attack.She was treated at the scene by London's Air Ambulance and had been in a critical condition in hospital since the attack.
BBC Home Affairs correspondent Danny Shaw said Ms Barwell was believed to be the first prisoner custody officer to have died in the line of duty. A post-mortem examination will take place later.
'Huge shock' BBC Home Affairs correspondent Danny Shaw said there would be three investigations into the incident, carried out by the Ministry of Justice, the Met Police and Serco.
Justice Secretary Mr Gove said: "I was shocked to hear of the tragic death of Lorraine Barwell.Justice Secretary Mr Gove said: "I was shocked to hear of the tragic death of Lorraine Barwell.
"No words can express the devastating effect this will have on her family and friends and my deepest sympathies are with them at this difficult time."No words can express the devastating effect this will have on her family and friends and my deepest sympathies are with them at this difficult time.
"Lorraine Barwell was a courageous and dedicated prisoner custody officer who delivered a vital public service for more than a decade.""Lorraine Barwell was a courageous and dedicated prisoner custody officer who delivered a vital public service for more than a decade."
He said the Ministry of Justice would provide assistance to the police investigation.He said the Ministry of Justice would provide assistance to the police investigation.
Analysis by Danny Shaw, Home Affairs Correspondent
My understanding was that Lorraine Barwell's family agreed with doctors that she would not recover from her injuries so they switched off her life support system.
The one comfort for her family is that she was an organ donor so her organs will be used to benefit others.
We have been looking back through the records and as far as we are aware there has been no reported incident of a custody officer working for Serco or any other private firm dying as a result of injuries sustained in their duties.
In terms of prison officers and custody staff in England and Wales the last recorded death was in 1991 - a skills instructor at Norwich prison, but of course there are incidents in Northern Ireland of prison officers who have died in the line of duty as well.
Reports of violence in prisons have been increasing and there have been some very serious incidents of staff in prisons being assaulted.
This was a fear prison officers had that one day they would get the call that one of their colleagues had died as a result of injuries sustained in duty.
Serco group chief executive Rupert Soames said the company was "shocked and desperately sad" about Ms Barwell's death and there would be a major review into how the incident occurred.Serco group chief executive Rupert Soames said the company was "shocked and desperately sad" about Ms Barwell's death and there would be a major review into how the incident occurred.
He said: "Lorraine has been with the company for over 10 years doing this and she was a consummate professional, really good at her job and much respected.He said: "Lorraine has been with the company for over 10 years doing this and she was a consummate professional, really good at her job and much respected.
"There are very detailed procedures for handling people because on a daily basis we are handling murderers, rapists and people accused of vile crimes."There are very detailed procedures for handling people because on a daily basis we are handling murderers, rapists and people accused of vile crimes.
"This has all come as a huge shock to us, in part because it has has never happened before because our procedures and government's procedures have been proved very safe until now.""This has all come as a huge shock to us, in part because it has has never happened before because our procedures and government's procedures have been proved very safe until now."
The POA, the Professional Trades Union for Prison, Correctional and Secure Psychiatric Workers, said members were thinking of Ms Barwell's family and friends.The POA, the Professional Trades Union for Prison, Correctional and Secure Psychiatric Workers, said members were thinking of Ms Barwell's family and friends.
Glyn Travis, from the POA, said: "It's a sad day for the criminal justice system, the prison service, and of course the family.Glyn Travis, from the POA, said: "It's a sad day for the criminal justice system, the prison service, and of course the family.
"This is not about public or private, this is about someone who is just doing their job."This is not about public or private, this is about someone who is just doing their job.
"No-one expects their mum, wife, sister or daughter to go to work and never come home.""No-one expects their mum, wife, sister or daughter to go to work and never come home."
Oscar Garcia-Villaverde, a colleague of Ms Barwell, said: "Everyone who worked with Lorraine, who was affectionately known as Rocky, is absolutely devastated by what has happened. Ms Barwell was a grandmother and had two children.
"Our thoughts are with her family." Her colleague Oscar Garcia-Villaverde said: "Everyone who worked with Lorraine, who was affectionately known as Rocky, is absolutely devastated by what has happened."
Mr Burke is due to appear at the Old Bailey for a preliminary hearing on 15 July.Mr Burke is due to appear at the Old Bailey for a preliminary hearing on 15 July.