UK

Killer convict who ‘copied Saw 6 torture scene’ admits attempted murder of prison guard

A convicted killer has pleaded guilty to the attempted murder of a prison guard in a shocking attack which echoed a scene from the horror film Saw 6.

Ian McLoughlin, 55, admitted trying to murder Gary Crossley by slashing his throat with a broken bottle at HMP Whitemoor in March.

Mr Crossley, who was left with serious wounds, described his attacker as ‘psychotic’ and said he had ‘copied’ a scene from the horror movie.

McLoughlin, who is currently serving a minimum of 21 years for the murder of Graham Buck in 2012, was restrained by other inmates and prison staff after the attack.

He appeared at the Old Bailey today and pleaded guilty to attempted murder.

Mr Crossley, who has worked at the jail for more than 20 years, said he was ‘very lucky to be alive' despite the attack.

Speaking to the BBC, he said: “He had a broken bottle and he was slashing at my neck. It was like a scene from Saw 6.”

The court heard that McLoughlin had been serving a life sentence for the murder of Mr Buck, who he had stabbed to death in 2012.

McLoughlin is due to be sentenced on 4 June. The judge warned him that he faced a ‘very considerable’ sentence.

The attempted murder of a prison guard is an extremely serious offence, and the court's decision to accept McLoughlin's guilty plea is a clear indication of the gravity of his actions.

It is a reminder that even behind bars, prison guards are vulnerable to attack from violent inmates. It is hoped that the sentence handed down to McLoughlin will send a clear message that such behaviour will not be tolerated.