AT the end of last week, we expressed serious concern about a “not guilty” verdict on a convicted triple murderer who attacked prison officers with a broken bottle.

Kevan Thakrar admitted the assault at Frankland Prison in Durham but was cleared of attempted murder and wounding with intent because he was said to be suffering from posttraumatic stress disorder from his previous experiences in jail.

It is fair to say there has been a significant reaction to this story. Prison officials, police chiefs, MPs and members of the public are outraged. It has struck a raw public nerve.

We said from the outset that the verdict had set a dangerous precedent which could encourage further attacks on prison officers.

It has now emerged that there was a subsequent outbreak of violence at Durham Prison in which inmates are reported to have shouted PTSD – a reference to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.

Word of the Thakrar case will by now have reached every prisoner in the land and something needs to be done quickly to prevent violence escalating.

One way or another, this ridiculous verdict needs to be addressed.

Whether that is through an appeal by the Crown Prosecution Service, or a private prosecution by the Prison Officers’ Association, a line needs to be drawn.

What happened at Durham Prison may easily be just the first consequence of a reckless ruling.