Judy Moran involved in prison fight

Judy Moran, the widow of a gang member, has reportedly taken legal action after she was involved in a prison fight involving another high-ranking inmate at Victoria’s maximum security women’s prison.

The flamboyant crime figure was moved from his cell to a more secure unit at the Dame Phyllis Frost centre after witnessing a bloody argument between two fellow inmates, Fairfax reports.

Moran, 74, who is serving a 21-year sentence for the murder of her brother-in-law, has launched a Supreme Court challenge to force prison authorities to return her to her original cell.

In court documents obtained by Fairfax, Moran claims she was sitting alone knitting when her fellow inmate, Vicky Soteriou, who is serving a 12-year sentence for trying to kill her husband, and his girlfriend began fighting in front of her.

Moran, who is confined to a wheelchair, said the row began when Soteriou told his girlfriend she no longer wanted to be in a relationship with her.

She claimed Soteriou’s girlfriend hit her, then grabbed a knife and began self-harming.

Soteriou tried to intervene and suffered a cut to his hand, Moran allegedly said in his sworn statement.

“I was afraid for my life and physical safety and so I left the area,” Moran said.

Authorities questioned why she did not ring the emergency bell to alert prison guards, but Moran said that would have meant putting herself in danger between the two fighting inmates.

Three days later, Moran was transferred from the main prison to a unit for prisoners requiring strict supervision, according to Fairfax.

Moran, who has since been transferred to a unit for prisoners with reduced mobility, is demanding to return to her original cell.

Moran’s lawyer, George Defteros, told Fairfax he was concerned about Moran’s health and well-being.

The case is expected to return to court in May.