Prisoner Custody Officer Lorraine Barwell

It is with great sadness that we can confirm that our colleague, Lorraine Barwell, a Prison Custody Officer, who was seriously assaulted on 29 June by a man at Blackfriars Crown Court has died from her injuries.  Lorraine was attacked in the Court, while she was working with other team members preparing to escort a prisoner between the court and a waiting van which was parked inside the court yard.  She was treated at the scene before being taken to the Royal London hospital by London's Air Ambulance.

Rupert Soames, Serco Group Chief Executive, said: "We are all appalled and saddened by the dreadful news that Lorraine has died of her injuries, and our hearts go out to her family and many friends. They are in our thoughts, and on behalf of everyone at Serco I want to send them our sincerest sympathies and condolences. We will do everything we can to support them at this very difficult time."

"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 will be sorely missed by everyone who worked with her. 

"The team who escort and look after prisoners as they travel to and from court perform an important and difficult public service, and we should all appreciate the work they do."

Oscar Garcia-Villaverde, a close colleague of Lorraine, said:  "Everyone who worked with Lorraine, who was affectionately known as Rocky, is absolutely devastated by what has happened.  Lorraine was really well-liked and she had many friends here; we will all miss her dreadfully. Our thoughts are with her family." 

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