A PRISONER who carried out a sustained assault on a fellow inmate in a jail’s shower block has received an added 12-and-a-half years on to his sentence.

Christopher Andrew Fisher will also be subject to two years extended licence period at the end of his prison term, as he is considered a “dangerous” offender.

Durham Crown Court heard that he left his victim “for dead” in the showers at the city’s prison, after the attack on April 16, last year.

Another inmate came across the victim and put him in the recovery position, before informing a prison officer outside the showers.

The 23-year-old injured inmate was taken to Newcastle’s Royal Victoria Infirmary where he was placed on a life support machine and remained in an induced coma for up to three weeks.

Almost a year-and-a-half after the attack, he still suffers brain damage, which may be permanent, and requires constant supervision at his home, in Newcastle.

Tom Storey, prosecuting, said the background appeared to have been a remark or perceived suspicious glance, made by the victim to Fisher on the prison exercise yard, the previous day.

Although nothing took place immediately afterwards, Fisher delivered a strong punch to the other inmate’s groin area, as they passed on a corridor the following day.

Half-an-hour later, when the victim went for a shower, Fisher waited outside until other inmates came out, before committing the attack.

Mr Storey said such was the force of stamps to the victim’s head that an imprint of the shower mat was left on his facial cheek.

When questioned Fisher claimed the other inmate “sly-ed” him in the exercise yard, the previous day, believed to be prison slang for a short remark or glance, but refused to elaborate.

The court heard he is serving a four-year sentence for burglary, imposed at Newcastle Crown Court last year.

Thirty-one-year-old Fisher, from Newcastle, admitted causing grievous bodily harm with intent at a recent bearing.

Roger Brown, for Fisher, said, if not for the latest assault, his earliest release date under the existing sentence would have been in March next year.

Mr Brown said any additional sentence should run alongside the existing term being served by Fisher.

But, having considered Fisher to be a “dangerous offender”, Recorder Atherton said the 12-and-a-half year term for the prison attack would not start until after the existing sentence ends.

Fisher can only be considered for release by the Parole Board, after two-thirds of the sentence has passed.