Convicted murderer punched prison staff

A CONVICTED murderer who gunned down his childhood friend has admitted to punching multiple staff at one of Victoria’s highest security prisons.

Paguir Pan, who is serving a 24-year sentence at Lara’s Barwon Prison, appeared in the Geelong Magistrates Court on Tuesday morning.

In March, Pan had asked to speak to the supervisor of his unit, only to throw a doublehanded punch to the man’s head. The officer managed to dodge the punch, only copping a glancing blow.

Pan refused to be interviewed in relation to the incident.

On another occasion, in January, Pan was speaking on the phone when he was asked to return to his cell by prison officers.

Pan became argumentative after being denied use of a phone and ignored two requests from officers to return to his cell.

The court heard Pan said “f--- this” and lunged towards a guard, punching him in the face with a clenched right fist.

He was subsequently tackled and placed in a holding cell.

Defence counsel Tass Antos conceded the charges amounted to a “distasteful incident”, but that his client had strong family support behind him.

“He is not doing himself any favours should he become eligible for parole,” he said.

Magistrate John Bentley sentenced Pan to three months’ imprisonment over the incidents, to be served alongside his current sentence.

“When he comes up for parole, these things will be considered,” he said.

Pan, originally from Dandenong South, will serve at least 16 years behind bars for the murder of his childhood friend, Winis Apet.

Pan, who pleaded guilty to one count of murder, shot Apet in a rage after being punched in a “minor scuffle” 40 minutes earlier.

He then fled the scene in Apet’s car, leaving his 20year-old mate in a pool of his own blood.

Supreme Court Justice Lesley Taylor said Pan’s actions were “cowardly and callous”.

“The gravity of your offending is extremely high,” Justice Taylor said during sentencing last year.

“First, you shot Mr Apet at close range in a public place with other people nearby.

“Second, your actions were deliberate and sustained.”