Kicked to Death: Blackfriars Crown Court guard Lorraine Barwell life support machine switched off

Serco prison guard Lorraine Barwell has died from head injuries sustained in a deadly assault by prisoners outside Blackfriars Crown Court.

The 54-year-old grandmother was put on a life support machine after the attack, which happened on Monday (29 June) at about 1.35pm as she transported prisoners from the Central London court to a van that was waiting outside.

Barwell was reportedly kicked and stamped in the attack. She was working alongside colleagues when the violence broke out.

Her family have given permission for doctors to switch off the machine that was keeping her alive.

Her son Jason, 34, told The Sun: "Our lives have been ripped apart. We are looking around at each other asking how our mum got murdered."

Humphrey Burke, 22, of no fixed abode, was subsequently charged with grievous bodily harm and appeared at Camberwell Green Magistrates' Court, where he entered no plea. He could now face a charge of murder or manslaughter.

Security contractor Serco said: "We take a zero tolerance approach to violence against staff."