A notorious murderer's bid to stage an armed escape from a maximum security prison has been foiled by jail security staff.Ex US Marine David Bieber planned to use a gun smuggled into maximum-security Whitemoor to take hostages in an armed break-out.

A notorious murderer's bid to stage an armed escape from a maximum security prison has been foiled by jail security staff.

Ex US Marine David Bieber planned to use a gun smuggled into maximum-security Whitemoor to take hostages in an armed break-out.

But security staff uncovered the plot and Bieber, 40, who was jailed for life for shooting dead Leeds traffic policeman Ian Broadhurst, is now in solitary.

Warders wearing riot gear burst into his cell on Monday after officials pieced together the escape bid.

Bieber and accomplices had planned to use a guest at a forthcoming wedding at the prison to smuggle in a gun.

A Prison Service spokesman said: “An escape attempt at HMP Whitemoor has been foiled by the excellent and dynamic security systems in place at the prison.”