Young offender kept makeshift weapon in cell

A TEENAGER kept a makeshift weapon in his cell after being subjected to racially aggravated bullying and threats at a young offender institution, a court has heard.

Graphic design student Cadonius Lowe was caught with the triplebladed weapon following a fight in which he was not involved on his wing at Parc Prison in Bridgend last summer.

Speaking at Newport Crown Court, prosecutor Robert Goodwin said: “The Crown’s case is that this was made for the pur- pose of causing injury.”

The court heard prison officers searched his cell at 8.20am on June 25 and found a plastic piece of cutlery with three razor blades melted to the tip and a black handle bound in twine.

Mr Goodwin said Lowe was serving a 28-month sentence at the time for two drug offences and possessing a bladed article in a public place.

The defendant gave a prepared statement, telling officers it was for his own protection, then answered “no comment” to the questions put to him.

Suzanne Payne, defending, said her client was scared to answer the questions because he was being asked about who was threatening him and he feared reprisals. She said: “He was subjected to bullying and threats from the time he arrived. Those threats had increased in the week prior to June 25 and he was made aware he was likely to be targeted.”

Ms Payne told the court the bullying was racially aggravated and said Lowe accepted arming himself.

She argued it was not a “highly dangerous” weapon and was not used to threaten or cause fear.

The court heard Lowe has been moved on to a different wing and has not been bullied since. His barrister said he now wishes he had asked for a transfer sooner.

Lowe, 19, from Parlaunt Road in Slough, admitted possessing an offensive weapon. He has a Level Two BTEC in engineering and is now spending five days a week in the education centre studying for a qualification in graphic design.

The court heard he had an unsettled family life growing up and committed the original drugs offences because he was in debt.

Recorder Timothy Brennan QC said: “It is quite obviously a weapon designed to be used in case of a fight or attack within the prison.”

Lowe will have to spend another four months in the young offender institution. An order was made for the weapon to be destroyed.