Inmate attacked two officers at prison

AN inmate at HMP Bristol who attacked two prison officers has been jailed.

A male officer had his leg trapped by a cell door when he struggled with Carne Williams, Bristol Crown Court heard. And when a female colleague intervened Williams also attacked her.

Both officers were left injured and traumatised as a result, the court was told.

Williams, 33, of no fixed address, was due to face trial but pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm and assaulting an emergency worker in June 2019. Judge William Hart jailed him for 30 months.

He told Williams: “The attack has caused significant physical and long-term psychological effects. You could have desisted rather than attack the female officer as well.”

Ian Fenny, prosecuting, told the court when the officers entered Williams’ cell on D-Wing he approached them at speed and tried to pull the cell door open.

Mr Fenny said: “A struggle over the door took place. The male officer’s leg was trapped between the steel door and steel frame. He thought his leg was broken.”

When the female officer came to her colleague’s aid Williams assaulted her, the court heard.

Mr Fenny said: “It was difficult for them to protect themselves and one another.” Williams punched and butted the male officer and grabbed his ear as if to wrench it off, Mr Fenny said. Other prison officers who scrambled to the scene restrained him.

Williams has previous convictions including assaults on police, public disorder and criminal damage.

Jonathon Dee, defending via video link, said his client had had a difficult childhood in which he was constantly exposed to drugs and violence. He said: “He has had mental health problems. That is no excuse for what he did but it goes some way to explain what he does.”