A prisoner has been given a life sentence after he gruesomely murdered a fellow inmate at HMP Maidstone using a fractured chair and the broken pieces of a ceramic toilet lid.
The horrific incident, which was detailed by Kent Police, occurred on 9 December 2021 when Sasan Rabat launched a ferocious attack on Stefan Adi in his cell, causing him catastrophic injuries to his head and neck. Upon entering the cell, staff discovered Rabat sitting on a bed while Stefan Adi lay mortally injured and unresponsive in a corner. Detective Inspector Ross Gurden voiced the horror of the crime scene, labelling it “an unimaginable scene of savagery and cruelty.”
In his vicious attempt to hide Mr Adi’s body, Rabat utilised furniture like a locker and table, then draped blankets and towels over him. The 24 year old had sustained numerous puncture wounds and slashes to his throat, apart from grave head injuries – wounds which DI Gurden acknowledged “he simply had no chance of surviving”.
Prison officers found weaponised remnants in the cell: a shattered chair and pieces of a ceramic toilet cover, used in the brutal assault on Mr Adi. Despite immediate efforts to aid him, Mr Adi was declared dead at the scene.
During his arrest, Rabat claimed self-defence in police interviews, alleging that Mr Adi had come into his cell threatening him with a razor blade. Nonetheless, he faced a murder charge and was remanded, awaiting trial.
At Maidstone Crown Court, Rabat, 27, pleaded guilty to killing Mr Adi but claimed diminished responsibility. However, the jury delivered a unanimous guilty verdict for murder. On 12 March 2025, Judge Philip Statman described the case as involving an ‘extreme level of violence’ that left two young children without a father, and noted that Rabat had improvised two weapons.
Rabat was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 19 years before being eligible for parole. Detective Inspector Ross Gurden stated: “The actions of Rabat were truly barbaric as he subjected his helpless victim to a prolonged and brutal ordeal. Mr Adi suffered up to 30 horrific injuries, including to his head, face and neck, which he simply had no chance of surviving.
“Rabat has never shown any remorse for his senseless attack, which has not only caused immense distress and suffering to his victim’s family but continues to have a profound and lasting impact on staff at the prison faced with an unimaginable scene of savagery and cruelty.”