Prison Officer Critical After Court Assault

A female prison officer assaulted while transferring a prisoner at Blackfriars Crown Court remains in critical condition in hospital, police have said.

Sky sources had said that the woman, aged in her 50s, had died following the attack but police have since said that she remains in hospital.

The woman, who works for security company Serco, was attacked as she escorted the prisoner between the court and a waiting van.

She was treated at the scene by London's Air Ambulance service before being transferred to an east London hospital.

Earlier, 22-year-old Humphrey Burke, of no fixed abode, appeared at Camberwell Green Magistrates' Court charged with grievous bodily harm over the alleged assault.

Kevin Hagan, contract director of security company Serco, said immediately after the assault: "Our thoughts are with her and her family at this time.

"We take a zero tolerance approach to violence against staff and we always press for the most serious charge to be laid against those responsible."