Alleged terrorist Tuki Lawrence feared paralysed after Goulburn Supermax stand-off

An alleged extremist facing terrorism offences is waiting to see if he is a quadriplegic after a violent stand-off with prison officers in Goulburn’s Supermax jail.

An inmate was hospitalised following an incident inside Goulburn Supermax jail. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Andrew Taylor

A Supermax inmate accused of terrorism offences is waiting to see if he is a quadriplegic after a violent stand-off with prison officers at the Goulburn facility last weekend.

Tuki Lawrence has undergone surgery and remains in hospital after the clash with guards that sources say related to “prayer times”.

NSW Corrective Services confirmed 25-year-old Lawrence — who is facing charges for allegedly plotting to attack police, military and Corrective Services officers — was among several inmates “refusing instruction” from prison officers.

It is understood officers fired a gas canister at Lawrence, who allegedly has been linked to Islamic State sympathisers, during the exchange as he was going back to his cell.

Police are reviewing the footage from the body cameras worn by the officers to determine what happened next.

One source claimed Lawrence was kneeling down when either a door or shield used by an officer “hit him in the neck”, after which he complained he could no longer feel his legs.

Tuki Lawrence. Picture: Supplied

Tuki Lawrence is on remand at Goulburn’s Supermax. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Andrew Taylor

There were also reports of officers yelling at Lawrence to lay down and put his hands on his head several times before a loud “thud” could be heard.

Sources say Lawrence was dragged out of the cell before he slumped against a wall.

“All that was moving was his eyes,” one source said.

As the stand-off escalated, officers from the High Risk Security Management Unit – also known as Supermax – called for assistance with the Corrective Services in-house NSW Incident Action Team (IAT) turning up.

The officers were also soon joined by prison Special Operation Group (SOG).

It is understood the IAT officers were handling Lawrence while the SOG officers were addressing the other inmates.

It is not clear what triggered the stand-off but one source said the inmates did not want to go back to their cells as a result of “prayers”.

The incident took place Saturday afternoon with Lawrence undergoing surgery early this week.

It is understood he faces three to four months of rehabilitation, during which time he will learn if he will ever walk again or face the rest of his life in a wheelchair.

Goulburn Supermax. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Andrew Taylor

Corrective Services NSW confirmed NSW Police is investigating the incident.

“About 2pm on Saturday, November 27, 2021 High Risk Management Correctional Centre staff responded to a number of inmates refusing instruction,” a Correctives spokeswoman said.

“A 25-year-old inmate was injured as officers attempted to secure him in his cell. He was transported to hospital, where he remains.”

NSW Police confirmed they were investigating the incident.

“A 25-year-old male inmate was allegedly injured during a Corrective Services NSW-led operation in his cell,” police said in a statement.

“The man was taken to Goulburn Base Hospital, before being transferred to the Prince of Wales Hospital at Randwick for further treatment.

“NSW Police were notified the following day and detectives from the State Crime Command’s Corrective Services Investigation Unit have taken carriage of the investigation.”

Inquiries continue.

In February this year Lawrence, already an inmate at Goulburn Correctional Centre, was charged by counter terrorism officers for allegedly planning acts of terrorism while behind bars in NSW.

His charging by the NSW Joint Counter Terrorism Team followed an investigation known as Operation Zellaer, which began in late 2018 into a number of people alleged to be engaging in terrorism-related activities.

Lawrence was later found to be an associate of these people.

Police will allege evidence seized during the search warrant relates to the planning of acts of violent extremism within the community, aimed at police, military personnel and correctional staff.

He was charged with two counts of acts done in preparation for, or planning terrorist acts.

The case is listed for committal hearing in Parramatta Local Court later this month.

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