Prison officers face assault charges after restraining man accused of Lee Rigby murder

 
(FILES) This photo taken on November 23, 2010 shows Michael Adebolajo among the nine suspected members of the Al-Shabaab Movement (unpictured) arrested by Kenyan police on November 22 on claims of being Al-Shabaab recruits on their way to Somalia at the weekend. Michael Adebolajo, one of the main suspects in the brutal murder of a soldier in London, was arrested in Kenya more than two years ago for seeking terror training, it emerged on May 26, 2013, after police made more arrests. The reports said Adebolajo, 28, had been accused of trying to lead a group of youths trying to join Somalia's Al-Qaeda-linked Shebab movement. The disclosure raises fresh questions about the monitoring of Adebolajo and the other suspect in the murder, 22-year-old Michael Adebowale, by Britain's intelligence services. AFP PHOTO / MICHAEL RICHARDSMICHAEL RICHARDS/AFP/Getty Images
16 September 2013
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Five prison officers are facing possible charges for assault after an incident involving one of the men accused of the murder of soldier Lee Rigby in Woolwich.

The Crown Prosecution Service is examining a file of evidence to decide if charges should be brought against the officers after they restrained Michael Adebolajo during the incident in the high security jail Belmarsh.

Adebolajo, 28, who is charged with murdering Drummer Rigby in the street outside Woolwich Barracks in May, lost two front teeth and required medical treatment as he was being restrained by the officers.

Five prison officers have been suspended from duty and sent home while their actions were investigated by police.

Scotland Yard said five people had been interviewed under caution and a file has been sent to the CPS.

The file includes statements from the officers, CCTV and forensic evidence.

The prison officers deny they assaulted Adebolajo during the incident in July and "strenuously deny any wrongdoing."

Leaders of the Prison Officers’ Association have accused the Ministry of Justice of overreacting when it suspended the five men.

Adebolajo is charged with murder and possessing a revolver. He is also charged with the attempted murder of two police officers.

A second man, Michael Adebowale, 22, is charged with murder and possession of a firearm.

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