Key Points
- Lawrence Johnson, 26, facing charges of the murder of Alisha Samuels, has been attacked and robbed at HMP Liverpool in Walton over the weekend.
- Pictures captured by the Liverpool Echo and BBC show Johnson in a prison cell receiving punches from another inmate, surrounded by other inmates.
- Voices can be heard in the pictures where people are heard to be making threats against Johnson and ordering one inmate to take his things.
- According to the Ministry of Justice, the incident was dealt with swiftly and it was clear that violence will not be tolerated.
- There is also an investigation into how a mobile phone got to be used inside prison.
- Johnson is remanded facing charges of murder of 26-year-old Alisha Samuels and the attempted murder of a man after an attack in Newton Heath, Manchester on October 15.
- Johnson was arrested by armed police officers in Bootle on October 19 and appeared before Manchester Magistrates’ Court on October 21.
- Also facing charges of murder and attempted murder are two other men, Carl Hardy, 19, and Tony Evans, 19.
- Johnson is expected to appear at crown court next month.
Liverpool Crime (Liverpool standard) October 28, 2026 – Lawrence Johnson, the 26-year-old man charged with the murder of Alisha Samuels, has been assaulted and robbed while on remand at HMP Liverpool in Walton, according to footage seen by the Liverpool Echo and BBC News.
The incident is reported to have taken place over the weekend inside a prison cell. Video footage, which has since circulated widely on social media, shows Johnson wearing a grey prison-issue tracksuit and surrounded by several other inmates.
As reported by the Liverpool Echo, the person filming can be heard saying:
“Bro, you’re getting chopped up. Sit down, bro. Smash him up.” An unidentified prisoner then punches Johnson several times in the face, before the person filming says: “Take his s*** off him.”
The BBC, which also reviewed footage thought to have been filmed within the prison at the weekend, reported that inmates could be heard making similar remarks in the video.
What Did the Prison Service Say?
A Ministry of Justice spokesperson told the Liverpool Echo: “Violence will not be tolerated in the prison estate, and this incident was swiftly dealt with.”
The spokesperson added: “Having a phone behind bars is unacceptable and we have ordered the immediate removal of these posts while investigating how this was able to happen.”
The BBC reported that the Prison Service said the social media post was being investigated.
Neither the Liverpool Echo nor the BBC reported that anyone had been identified or charged in connection with the alleged assault and robbery at the jail.
Why Is Lawrence Johnson in Custody?
Johnson is charged with the murder of Alisha Samuels and the attempted murder of a man following an incident in Manchester on October 15.
As reported by the Liverpool Echo, police were called to Dorking Avenue in Newton Heath at around 2am, where officers found Ms Samuels, 26, with multiple stab wounds. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
Johnson, of Dorking Avenue, was later arrested by armed officers on Galsworthy Avenue in Bootle on October 19, according to the Liverpool Echo.
He was charged and remanded in custody after appearing at Manchester Magistrates’ Court on October 21. He is being held at HMP Liverpool ahead of a crown court hearing next month.
Who Else Has Been Charged?
Two other men have been charged in connection with Ms Samuels’ death. As reported by the Liverpool Echo, Carl Hardy, 19, of Shaldon Drive in Manchester, and Tony Evans, 19, of Dorking Avenue, have each been charged with murder and attempted murder.
Both men were remanded in custody and appeared at magistrates’ court on October 23.
The BBC also reported that a further three men had been charged on suspicion of Ms Samuels’ murder, citing earlier confirmation from Greater Manchester Police.
What Has Been Said About Alisha Samuels?
Greater Manchester Police Detective Chief Inspector Justin Bryant, the senior investigating officer, said:
“We are working tirelessly to establish the full circumstances of this attack, and to provide Alisha’s family with some answers. My thoughts remain with them as they navigate this tremendous loss.”
Ms Samuels’ friend, Carris Mallon, said last week:
“She was taken far too soon, in such a horrific way. The world was too evil for her.”
She added:
“She was the most precious soul in the whole entire world, not a person she met who could say anything bad.”
A fundraiser set up to support Ms Samuels’ parents had raised nearly £16,500 of its £20,000 target at the time of the Liverpool Echo report.
Background of the Development
HMP Liverpool, commonly known as Walton jail, is holding Johnson while he awaits his next court appearance. The reported attack occurred while he was on remand, meaning he has been charged but has not been tried or convicted of the offences against him.
The case stems from the death of Alisha Samuels in Newton Heath on October 15. Greater Manchester Police have said enquiries into the wider circumstances of the case were continuing after Johnson was charged.
The circulation of footage allegedly recorded inside a prison has also become part of the response. The Ministry of Justice has said it is investigating both the violence and how a phone was apparently used to record and share the incident.
Prediction: How This Could Affect Prisoners and Prison Staff
For prisoners at HMP Liverpool, the reported incident may lead to heightened security measures, increased monitoring of communal areas, and further checks aimed at preventing the use of mobile phones. The Ministry of Justice’s statement indicates that authorities are treating both the assault and the recording of the incident as matters requiring investigation.
For prison staff, the development could increase pressure to identify how contraband phones enter the jail and how footage was shared online. The Prison Service has said it ordered the removal of the posts and is investigating how the incident was able to happen.
For Johnson’s legal team, the alleged assault may become relevant to discussions about his safety and conditions in custody while he awaits trial. Any formal findings about responsibility for the attack would depend on the outcome of the Prison Service investigation and any subsequent action taken.
