Convicted murderer broke Jewish chaplain’s jaw while shouting ‘allahu akbar’

A convicted killer who broke a Jewish prison chaplain’s jaw while shouting “Allahu akbar” has been sentenced to an additional 11 years in prison on top of his existing life sentence, with the judge noting his “antisemitic, florid and ideologically disturbing” views.

Joseph Gynane, 41, carried out his attack in September last year at HMP Whitemoore, with Cambridgeshire constabulary describing him having attacked attacked the Jewish chaplain from behind, saying that he “punched the man to the back of the head with such force that he was knocked to the floor and continued punching him – even while being sprayed with PAVA by a prison officer.” The chaplain received medical treatment elsewhere at the prison before being taken to Peterborough City Hospital, where medical checks showed his jaw and a thumb had been broken.

Gynane converted to Islam in 2007; in 2019 he was convicted of murdering his friend and stabbing a 16-year-old boy hours later in London. After his attack on the Jewish chaplain, he was moved to the prison’s segregation unit, where he reportedly covered his cell in graffiti, including the phrases “free Palestine” and “Death to the IDF”.

He was charged with racially aggravated assault inflicting grievous bodily harm (GBH) and admitted the offence at a court hearing in March this year.

Sentencing, Judge Andrew Hurst said chaplains provided support for prisoners and were “valuable, cherished and should be protected”.

He noted that Gynane converted to Islam in 2007 and it was clear he held “antisemitic, florid and ideologically disturbing” views.

Judge Hurst said Gynane had a “long record for serious violence, including stabbings” and held an “appalling record for violence within prison”, with the highest number of assaults to his name at HMP Whitemoor.

He said the attack was a “serious assault motivated by racial hatred” and noted his concern about a “very high risk of future assaults” from Gynane, who “will seek to harm innocent members of Jewish community”.

Detective Constable Emma Purser, who investigated, said: “Gynane was already serving a life sentence for murder, but I am pleased he has now had his sentence extended by quite some time and has faced justice for his actions – which were shocking and despicable.

“The Jewish chaplain involved in this case was providing a valuable service and no-one deserves to be attacked in this way, with such strong violence – and especially not because of their religion.

“I hope this case highlights how seriously both police and the courts take offences of this nature, and serves as a deterrent towards anyone else thinking of committing the same behaviour.”