Overview

• The new life term carries a minimum of four-and-a-half years before the Parole Board can consider release.
• Judge Nicholas Dean KC said O’Brien poses a significant risk of further serious harm.
• He was convicted for a preplanned Oct. 3, 2022 attack at HMP Manchester in which he aimed an improvised blade at a prison officer’s neck, and the victim reported lasting psychological trauma.
• O’Brien issued abusive, threatening remarks over a videolink from HMP Woodhill during sentencing.
• The court ordered a record of the hearing to be provided to prison authorities for use in future parole assessments.