An inmate serving a life sentence has appeared in court accused of attacking the same prison officer twice over a ten-month timespan.
William Smith, 33, appeared at a Durham Crown Court plea hearing on Wednesday (June 10) via video link from HMP Holme House, where he is now serving his sentence.
Smith is accused of assaulting the officer at Frankland Prison, Durham, causing actual bodily harm, a sprained knee, on July 17, last year.
He is also alleged to have intentionally strangled the same officer in an incident on May 7 this year.
Smith, who was unrepresented, admitted the first charge but denied the second, despite being told there is footage of him with the officer briefly in a choke hold.
Judge Richard Clews offered the defendant the opportunity to view the footage of the incident, which was captured on prison cctv, but before that could be played to him, he said he was feeling ill and needed to visit the toilet.
The judge agreed to allow him his “comfort break” but the defendant failed to return to the prison video booth, and, on checking, the court was told he was refusing to go back to take any further part in proceedings.
Uzma Khan, prosecuting, told the court the defendant is serving a “life” prison sentence, and is said to have mental health issues.
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The life sentence was imposed following a conviction for conspiracy to murder and two counts of causing grievous bodily harm.
Asked by Judge Clews as to the defendant’s minimum “tariff” before being eligible to be considered for release by the Parole Board, Ms Khan said it is 32 years.
The judge adjourned the case to enable details of the defendant’s mental health record to be ascertained prior to the next hearing, which he fixed for Wednesday July 8, at Teesside Crown Court.
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