Serco fined £2.25m after grandmother who was custody officer killed by prisoner

Security firm Serco has been fined £2.25million for health and safety failings after a custody officer was kicked to death.

Lorraine Barwell, a 54-year-old grandmother was kicked twice, once in the body and once in the head, at the now closed Blackfriars Crown Court, which used to operate in Pocock Street, Southwark, in 2015 during the restraint of prisoner Humphrey Burke.

The day she was attacked, Burke was due to be sentenced for arson and attempted robbery. She died from brain injuries caused by the second blow.

Burke was given an indefinite hospital order for manslaughter by diminished responsibility.

In a victim impact statement, Lorraine’s daughter Louise Grennan, said: “Our mum was a wonderful loving supportive mother to myself, my brother and her two granddaughters whom she adored and loved, and they adored her.

“She too was a friend to many and loved by many. To lose her has left a huge void in everyone’s hearts.

“Mum was my best friend and she helped me care for my daughter. We spoke about plans to move abroad to live in the sun once mum had retired from work. That has all gone now.”

Ms Barwell had worked for the Hampshire-based security firm for 10 years when the attack took place.

The incident led to an investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) that found mulitple failures by Serco.

The investigation found that time pressures, staffing levels and business priorities had led to routine violations of procedures by staff in order to get the job done which had gone unchallenged.

This is despite such failings being brought to their attentions by HM Prisons Inspectorate, Ministry of Justice, HSE Inspectors and Serco’s own staff.

On April 25,2022 at Southwark Crown Court, Serco pleaded guilty to charges under section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work and today at the Old Bailey they were fined £2.25m and ordered to pay £433,596.07 in costs.

Speaking after the hearing, HSE inspector Helen Donnelly said: “Serco drastically failed in their duties to protect both Lorraine Barwell and other staff over a sustained period. It is not common to have a case covering such an extended period, but it appeared that Serco Limited were not learning from their mistakes.  

“Lorraine Barwell and her colleagues were just doing their job and should have been protected from harm. Had Serco carried out their legal duties, these incidents could have been prevented.

“While this investigation has been long and complex, we hope Lorraine’s friends and family will find some comfort in today’s sentence and see that justice has now been served.

“No matter what work environment you are in, health and safety regulation is designed to protect people at work. We will not hesitate to act against those who fail to protect their workers.”

Anthony Kirby, Serco chief executive said: “Everyone in Serco was deeply shocked and saddened when Lorraine was fatally assaulted by Humphrey Burke in 2015 and we continue to send our deepest condolences to her family and friends.

“Lorraine was a brave and experienced prisoner custody officer who was a popular and highly respected member of our team and had worked for Serco for over ten years.

“She is still sorely missed by her colleagues and everyone across Serco. The safety and wellbeing of colleagues is our highest priority and, as recognised by the court, we have improved our safety processes.”

Pictured top: Lorraine Barwell (Picture: HSE)