Inmate Stabbed to Death in Wormwood Scrubs Prison Named

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Family 'devastated' by killing of father of one Saleh Khader, 25

A prisoner at HMP Wormwood Scrubs in Shepherd’s Bush who died from stab wounds on Wednesday, 31 January has been named.

While formal identification is still to be carried out, officers are confident the deceased is 25 year-old Saleh Khader.

A murder investigation has been launched following his death.

His brother Said Yusuf told the BBC that he and their mother Amina Dualeh were "devastated" at losing Mr Khader, who was on remand awaiting sentencing sentencing at the Old Bailey next month after pleading guilty to two counts of supplying class A drugs.

He said: "He was a young man trying to move on in his life. He recently got married and had a one-year-old son," he said.

"We thought he was in a safe place in prison."

His wife, Salma Hassan, 20, mother of two year-old Ahmed, said: "It is appalling. He should have been safe in the prison. Officers should be held accountable."

Police say they were called to the prison at 3.19pm on Wednesday, 31 January following reports of a stabbing.

Officers and London Ambulance Service attended and found a man suffering from stab wounds. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

His next of kin have been informed and a post-mortem examination will be arranged in due course.

Four men, all prisoners at HMP Wormwood Scrubs, have been arrested on suspicion of murder. One is aged 20, two 21 and a fourth is 23.

All four remain in police custody.

Detectives from the Homicide and Major Crime Command are investigating.

Built during the Victorian era, Wormwood Scrubs is a Category B prison with a capacity of 1,279 inmates. This incident comes two months after an inspection report found the jail had chronic staff shortages, food supply issues and a surge in often serious violence.

A Prison Service spokesman said: "Our sincere condolences are with the family of Mr Saleh. 

"Since the last inspection, HMP Wormwood Scrubs has taken decisive action to reduce violence, conducting a full review of safety and security at the prison.

"The prison has now introduced body-worn cameras, additional CCTV and patrol dogs, and will be recruiting 120 extra officers to further improve safety. 

"We are working with the police on their investigation and it would be inappropriate to comment further at this stage."