Court 20 years in jail for inmate who attacked officers

AN inmate wielding a makeshift weapon attacked prison officers during a violent rampage at HMP Bristol.

Daniel Matthews has been jailed for the attacks, as well as assaults at two other prisons.

The 28-year-old was sentenced on Friday to a total of 20 years, by a judge who described him as a “dangerous offender”.

Avon and Somerset Police said Matthews used a spike on a handle to injure six male prison staff at HMP Bristol, in Bishopston.

A statement released by the force this evening said: “The officers went to his cell to move him to a segregation unit after he was heard making threats towards staff.

“One prison officer suffered a fractured eye socket and bruised eye and a second was knocked unconscious, suffering a serious head injury and a puncture wound to his jaw.

“The other officers sustained puncture wounds from the weapon and one officer also suffered dislocated fingers.”

The attack happened on Friday, January 10.

DC Laurence Castle, who investigated the Bristol offences, said: “The assaults perpetrated by Matthews were planned and unprovoked and were aggravated by his repeated use of improvised weapons constructed by him.

“The lengthy sentence passed today demonstrates that the behaviour exhibited by Matthews will never be acceptable and that we will always look to prosecute those who assault emergency workers.”

Matthews was sentenced at Worcester Crown Court yesterday.

The court heard he had also stabbed a member of staff at HMP Long Lartin, in Worcestershire, in February 2019.

He also assaulted other inmates at HMP Hewell in Worcestershire, in April 2017, and a prison governor in May 2017.

The judge passed a sentence of:

» Seven years in prison for wounding with intent, five years for causing grievous bodily harm with intent and eight months for each of four counts of assaulting an emergency worker at HMP Bristol, to run concurrently

» Three years in total for the assaults at HMP Hewell

Seven years for wounding with intent at HMP Long Lartin

Concurrent sentences of one year and two years respectively after admitting two counts possessing an offensive weapon in prison An extended sentence of three years Sentencing, Judge Burbidge QC described Matthews as “a dangerous offender” and said he did not know when he would be fit for release.