Brothers jailed for attacks on fellow inmates

TWO brothers from Merthyr Tydfil have been jailed for two vicious attacks on fellow inmates at a prison in Bridgend.

Liam Price, 25, and older brother Stephen Price, 28, are both current inmates at HMP Parc.

But on December 22, 2017 both brothers attacked two fellow inmates at the jail to steal their food and vaping liquids.

Prosecuting barrister David Pinnell told Cardiff Crown Court on Monday that all four inmates were on A4 wing at the prison.

But on the Friday afternoon in question, when canteen (the term used in prison for a weekly delivery of items) is normally made available, both brothers decided to steal from others.

The first victim, Kristian Wilsher, collected his canteen but noticed that there were five to eight people outside his cell, with the two defendants entering.

“Liam Price was carrying a 12in cosh making demands,” Mr Pinnell said. “Liam Price then struck Mr Wilsher with it on his head, face and body.

“Mr Wilsher tried to get up and away but Stephen Price was punching him to the left and right of his face and eyes, all while Liam Price was hitting him continuously to the ribs.

“Liam Price then shouted, ‘Do the kettle,’ a reference to being scalded with hot water, and made an effort to get to the kettle first and unplug it.”

Mr Pinnell told the court there were 10 incidents of violence on Mr Wilsher, who spent three days in hospital.

He received a fracture to the left cheekbone, which required surgery, and a fracture of the right jaw, which was left to heal.

The pair took Mr Wilsher’s vaping oils and food from his canteen.

Later the same day, the duo decided to rob fellow inmate Benjamin Hughes of his canteen, too.

Mr Hughes was aware of the commotion in Mr Wilsher’s cell, which was next door, thinking it was a fight.

The two brothers threatened Mr Hughes after their first attack, then came back and went into his cell.

Mr Pinnell said: “Stephen Price hit Hughes to the side of the face with an open palm and then put him in a bear hug.

“Liam Price grabbed the canteen and ran out.

“Mr Hughes ran out after them and pursued them down a staircase and kicked out, and made contact with Liam Price’s face.

“He suffered a loss of privileges for having kicked out.”

After both were arrested, Liam Price said he wanted to get the canteen to sell so he could buy Spice.

Liam Price, 25, was found guilty of two counts of robbery by a jury.

The court was told he has had 16 court appearances for 30 offences, including four previous convictions for robbery.

Stephen Price, 28, pleaded guilty to two counts of robbery.

The court was told he has had 12 court appearances for 22 offences, including four previous convictions for robbery.

Judge Nicola Jones sentenced both brothers for their actions.

For the first count against Mr Wilsher, Stephen Price was sentenced to six years and nine months, and Liam Price was sentenced to nine years.

Judge Nicola Jones said: “This was a sustained, brutal and terrifying attack by the two of you while other prisoners looked on.”

For the second count against Mr Hughes, Stephen Price was sentenced to 15 months’ imprisonment, and Liam Price was sentenced to 20 months’ imprisonment, both to run concurrently to the first sentence.

Both also have to pay a victim surcharge of £140, and Judge Jones has reserved the case to herself in case any issues arise from the sentencing.