Remand prisoner stabbed to death

A NARRE Warren man awaiting trial for attempted murder has been stabbed to death in prison.
Darren John Parkes, 29, was fatally stabbed last Thursday at Port Phillip Prison in Laverton about 4.30pm.
Mr Parkes was charged with the attempted murder and armed robbery of South Melbourne fruiterer and Sydenham resident Ben Riccardi last June after being caught by the Armed Offenders Squad near Narre Warren Police Station.
The 29-year-old was also charged with an armed hold up at the Noble Park TAB on 26 April 2005 and an armed robbery at the Westside Taverner Hotel in Laverton North on 19 June.
As reported in the News, (23 June 2005) Mr Parkes was also injured in police custody following his arrest last year.
His lawyer Simon English at the time confirmed to the News that Mr Parkes had been injured but would not discuss the nature of his injuries.
This week, Mr English confirmed Mr Parkes’s death to the News.
Following Thursday’s stabbing the maximum-security prison was placed into lock down and the Homicide Squad was called to investigate.
The coroner also attended the scene.
Homicide detectives were expected to apply to the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court yesterday (Wednesday) for an application to interview a prisoner in relation to the stabbing.
The outcome of the application was not known by the time the News went to print.
Noble Park man Ion Pau was also arrested and charged with the armed robbery and attempted murder of Mr Riccardi that occurred on 22 May.