Murderer stabbed with glass, broom handle in Paremoremo prison attack

Steven Williams, who murdered his stepdaughter Coral Burrows in 2003. Photo / Mark Mitchell

A high-profile murderer suffered life-threatening injuries after he was stabbed with two weapons at Auckland Prison on Saturday, allegedly by the man who killed schoolgirl Coral Burrows.

A prison source told the Herald that about 2pm on Sunday Steven Williams attacked Nikki Roper on a landing in C Block at the maximum security prison in Paremoremo.

Williams is serving a life sentence for murdering his 6-year-old stepdaughter Coral Burrows in 2003.

He beat the child to death and dumped her body near Featherston.

Coral Burrows. Photo / Supplied

Roper was jailed for life with a minimum non-parole period of 14 years for the murder of his ex-girlfriend Alexsis Maria Tovizi in Christchurch in 2010.

The Herald understands both men were being held in protective segregation in C Block.

The landing they were on houses 12 men in total but is separated by a gate halfway and only half of the inmates are brought out of their cells at any given time.

"Roper was stabbed with a piece of glass in the lower neck area," said the source.

"He was also stabbed with a broken off part of a broom handle, through the neck into the chest cavity."

The source said the broom handle snapped, leaving about 20cm embedded in Roper's body.

Nikki Roper in the High Court at Christchurch for sentencing over the murder of his ex-girlfriend. Photo / Pool

Roper was taken to Auckland Hospital and is said to be in a stable condition.

It is understood Williams has been moved to a secure management area of the prison.

Police examined the scene yesterday, the source said.

The Department of Corrections was unable to comment on the specifics of the assault.

"As police are investigating and criminal charges may arise, Corrections will not be making any further comment at this time," said Northern region Regional Commissioner Jeanette Burns.

Roper was also hospitalised last year after two inmates attacked him.

During an hour-long exercise break Stead Nuku and Nigel Lake launched a sustained assault on Roper, the result of gang tension in the prison.

Lake punched Roper repeatedly until he fell to the ground.

Nuku then instructed him to break Roper's arm.

Lake was unable, and, frustrated with how long it was taking, Nuku jumped in, kicking Roper and putting him in an arm lock that eventually snapped the bone.

He tried to break the victim's other arm and his legs but was unsuccessful.

Roper also suffered a skull fracture in the attack.