Prison officers facing jail sentence over attack on teenage inmate

TWO PRISON officers have been told to expect to be jailed after being found guilty of carrying out a violent attack on a 17-year-old inmate at a Young Offenders Institution.

Prison officers Mark Burnett and Daniel Scott “exacted their own revenge” on the teenager after the inmate assaulted one of their colleagues at Wetherby YOI.

Jurors head how the inmate suffered broken nasal bones and severe bruising to his face after being taken into a corridor and attacked out of sight of CCTV cameras. The attack ended when other prison officers forced open a door and went to protect the victim.

The teenager was spitting blood after the incident and a healthcare nurse was left “shocked and upset” when she saw his injuries. Leeds Crown Court heard the officers then tried to lie and cover up the attack. A jury found Burnett, 51, and Scott, 28, guilty of assault occasioning actual bodily harm after a week-long trial.

Katy Rafter, prosecuting, said the attack happened on December 7, 2016, when the defendants were officers at Wetherby YOI.

Jurors heard the incident took place at 4.30pm after the inmate attacked prison officer Jack Harper.

The teenager was taken to the ground and restrained by officers, including Burnett and Scott. He was then taken into a corridor known as the control and restraint stairwell.

The prosecutor said: “(The inmate) was punched to the face by Burnett and his head was pushed down by Scott.

“He was subjected to multiple punches to the face by both defendants.”

Sentencing will take place in December.