Comanchero accused of severely beating prison guards allegedly lashed out in anger over brother’s deportation

The Comanchero bikie accused of bashing two prison guards in what has been described as one of Victoria’s worst jailhouse attacks was sent into a rage by a family issue.

Richard Ene (right) pictured with fellow Comanchero Hassan Toppal. Picture: Supplied

A Comanchero accused of unleashing a wave of violence across two Melbourne jails was enraged over a decision to deport his brother.

The Herald Sun has been told Richard Ene’s anger was sparked by his brother Manuele being denied time with him before being banished back to New Zealand.

It culminated in the savage bashing of two officers by the bikie inside the Metropolitan Remand Centre at Ravenhall last Saturday.

Ene and Comanchero clubmate Laiseni Kakato were last December convicted of the 2019 murder of former Tony Mokbel associate Mitat Rasimi at Dandenong.

The hulking OMCG member had been in Port Phillip Prison with other members of the Comanchero outfit until last month when he is believed to have started to cause security concerns.

They related to his anger that he would not see Manuele again before he was sent back across the Tasman Sea.

Richard Ene is taken into police custody. Picture: Mark Stewart

Ene is believed to have ordered fellow inmates in PPP’s high security Charlotte unit to viciously attack officers whenever they were released from their cells.

The Herald Sun has been told two staff members at Port Phillip were assaulted after Ene’s transfer to MRC.

Staff at both prisons have been left on edge as a result of the incidents.

The attack, allegedly carried out by Ene in the Exford management unit of MRC, has been described as one of the worst in recent memory.

The victims were felled with sickening blows and repeatedly stomped to the head, before a colleague rushed to their aid.

Emergency response group moved to the scene but were unable to use OC spray because of the severe condition of one of the unconscious officers.

The ERG members were then able to restrain Ene.

Richard Ene was convicted of the 2019 murder of former Tony Mokbel associate Mitat Rasimi (pictured) at Dandenong.

Sources say the victims would have died if the onslaught had continued much longer.

Police are investigating the attack and it is believed Ene has been moved into a more restrictive regime.

Community and Public Sector Union officials have held meetings with MRC management in recent days over what can be done to avert a repeat episode.

In a bulletin to members, CPSU branch secretary Karen Batt said a range of agreements had been reached aimed at ensuring staff safety.

These included an increase in the number of roving ERG members, that there be no redeployment of operational support staff, the mandatory handcuffing of separated prisoners and that new and inexperienced members not be rostered on night shifts.

Ms Batt said the officers injured on Saturday had been discharged from hospital.

“Ongoing support is available to all officers who may be affected by this unprovoked insidious assault,” she wrote.