Teen robber’s ping-pong table attack inside prison
Joshua Roberts, 18, must serve an extra six months in custody after the YOI assault
TEENAGE prisoner Joshua Roberts has been ordered to serve more time in custody after he assaulted a prison officer.
The 18-year-old was serving a 48-month sentence for offences including robbery and possession of a knife in public when he attacked a prison officer at HMP Werrington Young Offenders’ Institution (YOI).
He punched the officer several times and the assault continued when he pushed his victim on a table tennis table.
The officer was left with bruises and a fractured finger.
Now Roberts has been ordered to serve an extra six months detention in a young offenders’ institution.
Prosecutor Peter Mccartney said the victim was supervising a group in the exercise yard at Werrington on March 19 last year when the defendant approached.
“Roberts asked the officer if he had accused him of ‘riding volo.’ Volo refers to voluntary isolation and it is considered an embarrassment to the inmates to be ‘riding volo,’” said Mr Mccartney.
“The officer said he knew nothing about that. It was clear to the officer the defendant had been sent by the others so he had to save face.
“The defendant encroached on the officer’s personal space. The officer pushed him away. The defendant punched him to the side of the face. He
continued to strike him to the side of the face.”
Another inmate joined in and the officer was pushed on to a table tennis table and was attacked as he lay on his back. Colleagues ran to his assistance and the inmates were detained.
The officer suffered a displaced fracture to his finger and bruises to his head.
Roberts, of HMP Brinsford, pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
The court heard the teenager was sentenced to 48 months in July 2020 for offences including robbery and
possession of a knife in public.
Paul Cliff, mitigating, said the defendant accepts his wrongdoing. He said his client was aged 16 when he committed the offences which landed him with the 48 month sentence. But he is due for release in the very near future and he intends to work in the construction industry.
Mr Cliff added: “He is still a young man and is capable of turning his life around.”
Judge Sally Hancox said prison officers need to be protected.
She told Roberts: “The fact you have assaulted a serving officer is an
aggravating feature. It does appear that you were dared or encouraged, or wound yourself up, to speak to the officer.
“You seem to have been sent over by other inmates to speak to him.
“You punched him to the side of his head on a number of occasions.
“You pushed him on the table and the assault continued for a short period before other officers arrived.”
Judge Hancox said the 48-month sentence would have been a very telling period for the teenager. She added: “It must have been profound in terms of its impact on you.”