A PRIVATELY funded legal action to re-try murderer Kevan Thakrar for stabbing three prison officers could be launched in days, The Northern Echo understands.

Leaders of the Prison Officers’ Association (POA) are set for talks with a high-ranking barrister over funding a private prosecution against the convicted killer.

POA secretary Steve Gillan said: “We are not counting our chickens until we have had this legal advice, but we are hopeful we will be able to go for a private prosecution.”

Triple murderer Thakrar admitted lashing out at three officers at Frankland Prison, near Durham, with a broken bottle, but was cleared of all charges after claiming he was suffering from stress caused by alleged beatings by officers at another prison.

A campaign, led by injured prison officer Craig Wylde, for Thakrar to be re-tried has attracted more than 3,500 supporters.

To force a retrial, judges at the Court of Appeal would have to be convinced there was new and compelling evidence.

The POA will only mount a legal challenge if its lawyers say they have a realistic chance of proving that.

However, although POA leaders hope the Crown Prosecution Service will take over the case, they are prepared to fight the case alone.

Meanwhile, a police investigation into whether the trial jury was influenced over its decision continues, centred on claims a man in court took notes of jurors’ names and positions in the jury box.

Mike Barton, the deputy chief constable of Durham Police, said: “We are actively looking into this: speaking to families and witnesses and getting footage from the court to see whether or not these allegations can be corroborated.”

As the trial was held at Newcastle Crown Court, Northumbria Police has taken over the investigation.

To interview jurors, police would need consent from the Court of Appeal. An application is expected shortly.

Thakrar, 24, was serving at least 35 years for the drugrelated murder of three men in Bishops Stortford, Hertfordshire, in 2007, when he attacked Mr Wylde and fellow officers Neil Walker and Claire Lewis in March 2010.

He was transferred to Wakefield Prison following the incident.