Killer gets no extra time for jail attack

A CONVICTED Mossman murderer who shot dead a man with bow and arrow will not have any further time added to his sentence for bashing a police officer and trying to escape the Cairns watch house.

Joshua James Richards, 30, (below) was handed a life sentence in May after being found guilty by a jury of killing Dennis Beattie, 38, who he had believed had stolen items from him including a GoPro and hunting knife. He will be eligible for parole in 2038.

On video link from Lotus Glen Correctional Centre, Richards pleaded guilty on Thursday to serious assault police and attempt to escape lawful custody.

The court heard the attack happened just after he had been taken into custody for the murder on October 28, 2018, and was being held in the Cairns watch-house on remand.

CCTV footage showed him in the exercise yard with several other prisoners when he attacked the police officer, throwing him to the ground by the arm. He stomped on his hip and retrieved a set of keys which he unsuccessfully tried to use to unlock a door.

Crown prosecutor Nathan Crane told the court the incident had not been led in evidence during the murder trial because it was ruled too prejudicial by Justice Jim Henry.

He argued for Richards’ parole eligibility date to be extended by up to 10 months.

But defence barrister Josh Trevino argued Richards had been punished within the prison system for the offending, including spending 15 days in Lotus Glen’s detention unit, a further week locked down in his cell and three months as an “escorted prisoner” with no visitations allowed.