Brinsford inmate lashes out, injuring three officers, court hears

Convicted robber Mustapha Manneh slashed out with the sharp weapon at Brinsford Prison after being told he couldn't have a shower, Stafford Crown Court heard.

Manneh, a Gambian immigrant, refused orders to go back to his cell and guard Mr Michael Brett drew his baton as a warning.

But in the mayhem that followed Mr Brett and colleagues Stephen Yale and Richard Daniels were slashed by the defendant sustaining deep cuts.

Manneh, aged 20, from Manchester, initially faced three charges of assault causing actual bodily harm, but his guilty plea to a charge of affray was accepted by the prosecution at court on Tuesday.

He was sentenced to 28 months in custody to run consecutively to the 56 months he is serving for robbery.

Recorder Mr Martin Wasik said: "This is one of the worst examples of affray a court is likely to hear about."

Mr Wasik told Manneh: "It started out as a dispute involving you and two prison officers over the fact there was insufficient time for you to have a shower. When you were told you refused to accept it and you became abusive."

Manneh punched the shower door and got hold of a 'nasty metal item' from the edge of a board.

"You were very much out of control, the situation escalated and your response was to ramp up the violence," Mr Wasik added.

"The officers were public servants doing their duty."

Mr Andrew Molloy, defending, said: "His intention was not to fight with prison staff, it was to break down the door of the shower.

"He was angry, he picked up a weapon of sorts and was thrashing around with it. "He will remain where he is because of his immigration status. Once that's determined, he may be removed from the country."