A man accused of murdering 26-year-old Alisha Samuels has reportedly been attacked and robbed while in custody. Lawrence Johnson, 26, was charged with Samuels' murder and the attempted murder of another individual.
Samuels was found with stab wounds on Dorking Avenue in Manchester on October 15 and was pronounced dead at the scene. Johnson, along with 19-year-olds Carl Hardy and Tony Evans, were subsequently arrested by Greater Manchester Police. All three men have appeared in court and are being held in jail.
Video footage that emerged this week from HMP Walton, where Johnson is reportedly being held, appears to show him being threatened and assaulted by other inmates. The footage, which has circulated widely on social media, shows Johnson being taunted and physically assaulted within a cell.
A spokesperson for the Ministry of Justice stated that violence will not be tolerated in prisons and that the incident was dealt with swiftly. The ministry confirmed that the presence of a phone within the prison was unacceptable and that an investigation was underway to determine how the posts were made and removed. The ministry also ordered the immediate removal of the online posts.
Friends and acquaintances of Alisha Samuels have described her as a "beautiful soul" and someone who was "beautiful inside and out." One friend recalled her "belly laugh" and expressed disbelief at the loss, mentioning their shared plans for travel. Another described Samuels as one of the kindest and funniest people they had ever met.
Detective Chief Inspector Justin Bryant acknowledged the ongoing support from the public in the investigation and reiterated his thoughts with Samuels' family and friends during this difficult time. He urged anyone with information to come forward.