Inmate Kyle Beattie left fighting for life after brutal stabbing at Barwon Prison

A 23-year-old criminal who stole a Paddington Bear in a bizarre burglary has been stabbed more than a dozen times by other inmates in Barwon Prison.

Kyle Beattie was left fighting for life from his injuries. Picture: Facebook

Four criminals were allegedly part of a planned ambush which has left a maximum security prisoner fighting for life.

Kyle Beattie, 23, was jumped as he walked with a group of other inmates in a communal area of Barwon Prison, near Geelong, on Friday.

Police will allege he had been talking to the group when he was kicked by one then stabbed more than a dozen times by three other detainees armed with makeshift knives.

Staff were forced to use capsicum spray on his attackers as Beattie was left bloodied nearby.

He was taken via air ambulance to the Royal Melbourne Hospital where he is in a critical condition.

Most of the four allegedly involved in the onslaught have histories of violent crime.

It’s alleged Beattie was kicked by one inmate then stabbed more than a dozen times. Picture: Peter Ristevski

One is believed to be a well-connected drug dealer who lived in a CBD apartment until he was arrested as part of an organised crime investigation.

Beattie has convictions for carjacking, ramming a police car, home break-ins, drug offences, car theft, driving matters, weapons breaches and committing indictable offences while on bail.

In one crime wave, he and a mate ploughed a stolen car into a police vehicle to avoid arrest and dragged a woman from her car to steal it.

His co-offender in that case was stabbed in prison while on remand over that incident.

In 2020, a court heard how Beattie and two mates arrived at a Langwarrin home in a stolen BMW and ransacked the property for valuables.

Beattie also stole a Paddington Bear, which police found days later when he was pulled over for other matters.

The crimes were fuelled by his addiction to methamphetamine.

Victoria Police said on Friday a man had been taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries.

“Emergency services were called to reports of an altercation between several prisoners about 1.30pm,” a statement said.

“Several other prisoners have been detained in relation to the incident.

“The exact circumstances surrounding the incident are yet to be determined and investigations remain ongoing.”

An Ambulance Victoria spokeswoman said on Friday: “One person is being assessed by paramedics and appears to be in a serious condition.

“An air ambulance has been dispatched.”

It is believed a weapon has been retrieved and some offenders identified.

The violent attack is the second drama to unfold at Barwon Prison in the past 24 hours.

Drug boss Tony Mokbel was rushed to hospital on Thursday after suffering chest pains in prison.

The stabbing is expected to be investigated by Victoria Police and the Department of Justice and Community Safety.

A department spokeswoman said: “This afternoon there was an incident at Barwon Prison between a number of prisoners”.

“One prisoner was airlifted to hospital. No other prisoners or staff were injured.

Victoria Police has been notified and the incident will be investigated.”