Prisoner used 'homemade' weapon in attempted assassination of police officer, jury told

An inmate at a high-security prison attempted to murder a prison guard in a “frantic” knife attack using a sharp metal bar, a court has heard.

David Bieber was returning from the library when he used the “homemade” weapon to attack Alison Smith, who was bleeding from wounds to her face and right arm, a jury at Worcester Crown Court was told.

Bieber, who had a “trusted role” as a cleaner at the time of the alleged incident on August 10, 2017, denies attempted murder and other accusations of injury.

The 56-year-old also pleaded not guilty to unauthorized possession of an offensive weapon at Long Lartin Prison in Worcestershire on the same day.

Jurors were told that Bieber would not appear in person at his trial, preferring to watch and listen to the proceedings via a video link to HMP Wakefield in West Yorkshire.

Opening the Crown case on Thursday, prosecutor Simon Phillips told the six men and six women: “At the material time – five years ago – Mr Bieber was detained at Long Lartin high security prison.

“This case involves Mr. Bieber’s use of an improvised weapon to attack a prison guard.

“The prosecution says he tried to kill her.”

Alleging that Bieber's target area was Ms Smith's face and neck, Mr Phillips said witnesses described the inmate as saying: “You're screwed with my meds, I'm going to kill that bitch.”

Describing the “homemade” weapon he showed the jury, Mr Phillips added: “It consists of two long pieces of metal pointed at one end and glued together.

“He bent over, probably during the struggle.”

Telling jurors they will have to think about what Bieber had in mind at the time of the attack, which was filmed on CCTV, Mr Phillips said the inmate was being taken back to a wing by Ms Smith when they are approached by a locked door in a hallway.

The prosecutor told the court: “The defendant then pulls out a gun and begins to attack Alison Smith.

“He grabbed her by the neck from behind, pulled her back, while pushing the gun towards her head and neck.

“Luckily for her, instinctively, she raised her right arm to deflect the blows.

“It is clear that the weapon came into contact with her arm and struck her in the face.

“This is probably aptly described as a frenzied attack.”

The court heard other officers quickly came to Ms Smith's aid after she screamed, restraining Bieber and disarming him.

She was later treated in hospital for cuts to her mouth and chin and four injuries to her right arm.

Following the incident, the court heard, a handwritten note was found in Bieber's cell listing three names, including Ms Smith.

The accused later told police that his memory of the events was fuzzy.

Jurors were told that the defense's position in the case is that Bieber was making a “cry for help” to bring a drug complaint to prison officials.

The trial continues.