An inmate at a young offenders’ institution (YOI) has had his stay behind bars extended for an unprovoked attack on a prison officer.

Tahj Morrison was at Deerbolt YOI, near Barnard Castle, serving an eight-year sentence for two serious assaults in his native Derby, when he learned of the death of his grandfather, the previous day, in May last year.

Durham Crown Court heard that the loss of his grandfather, who helped to bring him up, badly affected Morrison.

Jonathan Gittins, prosecuting, said an officer at Deerbolt, aware of the defendant’s emotional state, sought to move him to a separate part of the institution to offer him support.

Read more: Inmate facing lengthy sentences for attacks in Durham's HMP Frankland

As he opened a gate to facilitate the move, Morrison launched an attack on him.

Mr Gittins said Morrison punched the unsuspecting officer forcefully, knocking him to the ground, where he delivered further blows, rendering him briefly unconscious, at one stage.

Colleagues rushed to his assistance, but Morrison shoved them to one side, assaulting a female officer in the process, before attempting to continue the attack on the original victim.

Despite efforts to detain him, Morrison continued to behave aggressively, hurling items around and attempting to throw further punches through a security gate.

Mr Gittins said the victim suffered a broken nose and was left shaken to the extent he considered quitting his job.

He believed the incident affected the way he dealt with other inmates and he suffered with ongoing physical issues, to the consternation of his family.

The 23-year-old defendant, who has since been transferred to HMP Durham, admitted assault causing actual bodily harm and assault of an emergency worker.

Judge Jo Kidd adjourned a previous hearing to allow for preparation of a background report on the defendant, by the Probation Service, specifically to assess his “dangerousness”.

Read more: Stanley man back in jail after 'threatening' driving towards officer outside Durham Prison

Andrew Rutter, in mitigation, told Tuesday's (February 7) sentencing hearing that the perception that the defendant responded as he did in a bid to engineer a move to another custodial establishment nearer his home area was not accurate as his grandfather died the day prior to the incident.

“The fact his grandfather died the day before is a matter of record and that was the reason for his behaviour and demeanour, as the officer noticed, because he was grieving for someone he loved.”

Responding to the prosecution case that it was, “a persistent attack”, Mr Rutter said: “It was short-lived and over in a matter of seconds.

“One person’s ‘persistent’ attack is another person’s ‘short-lived’ attack.

“I would say ‘short-lived’, as it was over in less than 30 seconds.

“So, I would say it was not prolonged.”

Mr Rutter said the defendant has shown his remorse by his immediate admissions at court and has written a letter to the injured officer, “expressing his regret” for the incident.

“He recognises the officer was entirely blameless and had been a source of comfort to him.”

Mr Rutter said since leaving Deerbolt and moving to HMP Durham Morrison's “conduct and behaviour” has changed, adding that he is now, “in a better place”.

Judge Kidd told Morrison: “I accept you heard very difficult news the day prior to this incident, concerning your grandfather’s death.

“He had undertaken a parenting role for you during your childhood and I do not underestimate the emotional state you were in at the time of these offences.”

But Judge Kidd said the officer had been, “a source of support” that day.

“When he came across you on May 8, 2022, his only aim was to get you somewhere private to get you some support.

“When he opened the gate to you, you immediately attacked him, without prevarication.

“The impact has been serious for the officer.”

Read next:

               Prison officer attacked in HMP Frankland leaves him off work for a year

               Frankland inmate planned faeces attack on prison officer

               Inmate was making protest at planned move from County Durham jail

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She said the defendant’s case is aggravated by the fact the officer was trying to offer him assistance.

Judge Kidd imposed a further 20-month sentence, which she said would have been 30 months but for his prompt guilty pleas.

But she told Morrison it would only start at the end of his existing eight-year sentence.