Hashem Abedi, Manchester Arena Bomb Plotter, Refuses to Appear in Court for Alleged Prison Officer Attack

Abedi Skips Court Appearance

Hashem Abedi, 28, who was convicted for his role in the 2017 Manchester Arena bombing, refused to appear in Westminster Magistrates' Court on Thursday, September 18, 2025. He was scheduled to face charges related to an alleged attack on prison officers at HMP Frankland, a maximum-security prison in County Durham. Abedi did not attend the hearing via a scheduled videolink, leading to an adjournment of the case.

Charges and Alleged Attack Details

Abedi faces a total of five charges stemming from an incident on April 12, 2025. These include:

• Three counts of attempted murder, specifically targeting prison officers Paul Crampton, Gary Speight, and Catherine Herbert.
• One count of assault occasioning actual bodily harm against a fourth prison staffer, Craig Thompson.
• One count of unauthorised possession in prison of a knife or offensive weapon.

The alleged attack involved Abedi throwing hot cooking oil on the officers and stabbing them with makeshift weapons in what has been described as an ambush. Three of the four injured officers required hospital treatment for serious injuries, including burns, scalds, and stab wounds.

Court's Response and Next Steps

Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring addressed Abedi's non-appearance, stating that he would ensure the defendant's attendance at the next hearing. The case has been adjourned until September 25, 2025. Goldspring indicated that Abedi could be physically produced in court or appear via a prison videolink if physical attendance is not possible. Abedi has also reportedly refused legal representation.

Background of Hashem Abedi

Hashem Abedi is currently serving a minimum term of 55 years in prison for his involvement in the Manchester Arena bombing on May 22, 2017. The attack, carried out by his brother Salman Abedi, killed 22 people and injured over a thousand. Abedi was convicted in March 2020 of 22 counts of murder, attempted murder, and conspiracy to cause an explosion. He was sentenced in August 2020, a hearing he also refused to attend.