Inmate punched officer in ‘violent, unprovoked attack’
A PRISON inmate punched a guard who asked him to stop using a computer, leaving him needing stitches to a deep wound on his forehead.
Nicholas Morgan went on to expose himself to female staff at a probation hostel and psychiatric unit, causing them to feel vulnerable doing their jobs.
Prison officer Stuart Coward described the attack as “violent and unprovoked”.
Cardiff Crown Court heard the first incident happened at around 10am on January 11 last year at HM Parc Prison in Bridgend.
Clare Wilks, prosecuting, said the defendant’s behaviour in the run-up to the attack was described as “unpredictable” and he had been separated from the other prisoners. The court heard he was let out of his cell at different times from other inmates and was using a computer that morning.
Prosecutors said Mr Coward told him his computer time was up and asked him to go back to his cell.
Morgan initially seemed to do as he was told, but then suddenly “launched” himself at the officer.
Ms Wilks said: “He punched him above the eye, causing a significant wound to his eyebrow.”
She told the court the attack was “completely unprovoked and completely unexpected”.
Mr Coward raised the alarm and other officers came to the wing, helping to restrain Morgan.
The injured officer was taken to hospital, where he was treated for a 4cmlong wound. Ms Wilks said the officer went back to work five days later, but his confidence was “severely knocked”.
His wife and daughter were “extremely upset” when he came home with the injury.
The next incident happened on August 30 last year at a probation hostel. Prosecutors said Morgan went to reception to report a problem with a bathroom and then “darted off”.
Staff went to check the bathroom and found the defendant there in just his boxers, exposing himself.
Ms Wilks said: “He was holding his penis towards the female staff members.”
One woman said she found the incident “shocking” and now worries about her own safety at work, as well as that of her colleagues.
The court heard he exposed himself to a support worker in a psychiatric unit he was attending for a mental health assessment on January 30 this year. Ms Wilks said the woman was sitting on a sofa when she felt “tickling” on the back of her neck.
She added: “She saw the defendant standing there holding his penis.”
Prosecutors said Morgan had 13 previous offences on his record, including battery and robbery.
Morgan, 20, who does not have a fixed address, admitted unlawful wounding and two counts of indecent exposure.
Judge Jeremy Jenkins said he had read two psychiatric reports and one doctor concluded the defendant was at times “feigning mental illness”.
Morgan was sent to a young offender institution for 19 months and must register as a sex offender for five years.