TEENAGE INMATE PUNCHED AND KICKED THREE GUARDS
Prison officers attacked on ground as disorder broke out
TEENAGER Mohammad Umar attacked three prison officers after trouble broke out.
The 19-year-old was a serving prisoner at HMP Werrington Young Offenders’ Institution when violence erupted.
Umar then kicked and punched three guards who intervened to try to calm the situation.
Now he has been sentenced to 10 months in a young offenders’ institution, suspended for two years, at Stoke-on-trent Crown Court after the judge decided to give him a chance.
Prosecutor Caroline Harris said one of the officers tried to intervene on September 10, 2019.
Miss Harris said: “He could see the defendant was becoming involved and went to pull him away. However, Umar turned and punched him to the face.
The defendant punched him a number of times with maximum force.
“Another officer said the defendant and another were kicking and punching the officer while he was on the floor.
“The officer went to assist his colleague. However, the defendant punched him to the nose with a lot of force.
“A third officer was punched a number of times and sent to the ground.”
Umar, of George Arthur Road, Birmingham, pleaded guilty to three charges of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
Kevin Waddingham, mitigating, said Umar conceded it was a ‘disgraceful incident’.
He said: “He is embarrassed about his behaviour. He is still a very young man. He is trying to change. He is remorseful.”
As part of the sentence, Umar must complete a rehabilitation activity requirement for up to 50 days and a six month electronically-monitored curfew from 7pm to 7am.
Judge Paul Glenn said: “You were 17 at the time of the offences. The delay is not good enough. These offences were committed in September 2019.
“You were released from your sentence on January 22 this year. You have gone back to the family home. You have kept appointments on licence.
“Kicking is a significant aggravating factor. This happened in prison. The victims were simply trying to do their jobs.
“Offences like this undermine good order in custodial establishments.
“The question is, ‘can I avoid returning you to a custodial setting? Is there a prospect of rehabilitation’? It is too early to say.
“I am prepared to give you a chance to keep yourself out of prison. If you commit any further offence, if you breach the community requirements, you