Locked up for longer after attack on jail guard
AN inmate who was two months away from being released will have to spend more time behind bars after punching and headbutting a prison officer.
Cory Tomlinson was confined to his cell at HM Parc Prison following misbehaviour and tried to push past two guards as they collected his meal tray to bring him food.
Sentencing him at Cardiff Crown Court, Judge Eleri Rees said: “Those who assault prison officers must expect punishment. Such assaults will not be tolerated.”
The court heard the attack happened at the prison in Bridgend just after noon on June 22.
Anthony Cheung, prosecuting, said the defendant’s privileges had been limited due to bad behaviour and he was not allowed to leave his cell.
He told the court prison officer Neil Lawman and his colleague opened the door to Tomlinson’s cell and he attempted to push past them.
The court heard they told him they needed to collect his tray to bring him a meal, then the defendant headbutted Mr Lawman.
Prosecutors said he then punched the prison officer in the face, with the force of the blow knocking him backwards and cutting his lip.
Mr Cheung told the court the defendant had 38 previous offences on his record and was due to be released in December.
Tomlinson, 30, who is currently in HM Stoke Heath Prison in Shropshire, admitted assaulting an emergency worker. Neil Evans, defending, said: “Through me, he wishes to apologise to the court and the prison officers.”
He said the offending happened when Tomlinson had stopped receiving medication for mental health problems.
The court heard he is back on that medication now and working within the prison.
Mr Evans said his client has enrolled on a further course in mechanics, having already completed the first part of the training.
Judge Rees noted there was a headbutt, followed by a punch, and said: “This was a serious assault.”
Tomlinson was jailed for six months.