Prisoners at Oakwood threw slops

Paul Kerrison, Matthew James and Christopher Cole threw the mixture out of a bucket at the officers as they were trying to get prisoners into their cells, Cannock Magistrates Court heard yesterday.

Their solicitors said they carried out the act because they owed debts to a gang who, they claimed, ran the prison and that they had been threatened with being 'shanked' or 'cut up' if they refused.

Mr Giles Rowden, prosecuting, said Cole was the first prisoner to throw the contents of a bucket containing a mixture of urine and faeces.

He told the court that the 24-year-old, who is currently serving 22 months in jail for robbery, aimed it at prison officer David Weatherson.

He added: "Mr Weatherson catches the full force of it in his face."

Mr Rowden said he later received jabs and antibiotics and took a week off work.

Toyah Berry became aware of a 'substance' being thrown at her back and right hand side of her face and Laurie-Ann Paton and Heidi Llewellyn were subjected to the same assault by 29-year-old Kerrison, who is currently serving a three-and-half year prison sentence for burglary.

Mr Rowden said other prisoners had been 'clapping and cheering' at the time.

He told the court: "It caused them significant alarm and distress.

"They were people just trying to do their job in the prison."

James, aged 27, who is currently serving a four-year jail term for possessing class A drugs with intent to supply, was seen 'breaking into a run' before throwing brown-coloured liquid over Ms Berry and Ms Paton.

He then ran off laughing, the court heard.

Kerrison admitted three charges of assaulting prison officers on November 20 last year. James admitted two charges of assault on prison officers and Cole admitted one charge.

In mitigation for father-of-one Kerrison, Mr Jamie Wade said the prison was run by a gang.

He told the court: "The hierarchy is the gang, officers, then the rest of the prisoners. He owed money to this gang in prison. They threatened him.

"They said you will carry out this act for us, otherwise there will be ramifications. He states he was told to go to the cell, pick up the bucket and chuck it over the officers."

He said he was genuinely remorseful. Mr Glenn Cook, representing Cole, said: "The prisoners are running the jail and the prison officers have seemingly lost control."

He said he had owed a debt of £50 to £60 to the prison gang and was threatened that he would be stabbed if he didn't do what was asked of him.

"He was told to pick up the bin and target Dave," he said. Representing James, he said he had apologised for his actions and that he had owed debts to a prison gang who had threatened him.

Kerrison and James had their sentences extended by eight weeks, while Cole was given an extra 12-week jail term, to run consecutively to their sentences.