AN INMATE who punched a prison officer in the face has been sentenced to an additional four months in jail.

Tipu Shahid 20, appeared via video link at Weymouth Magistrates’ Court to plead guilty to assault by beating of an emergency worker, Sebastian Bichard, at HMP Portland on June 29, 2023.

Robert Salame, prosecuting, said Shahid had reportedly been pressing the emergency bell which got officers' attention. Mr Bichard turned it off and opened the observation panel to find Shahid stood to the right of his cell mumbling.

Mr Bichard told him to stop, which is when Shahid reached through the panel and struck him with a closed fist in his face.

The officer ‘was signed off for anxiety and depression’ after the assault.

In a victim impact statement read out by Mr Salame, Mr Bichard said: “After being assaulted I suffered bruising and stiffness in my neck.

“Other members of staff said that I had changed in myself. I am second guessing every move I make.”

Ms Sheehan, mitigating said: “Shahid is very sorry, it was nothing personal at all, he was having a lot of problems settling in, his family are based in Slough and things were not going at all well – he was in a cell on his own.

“It was a cry for help.”

Shahid, who is in jail at HMP Five Wells, Wellingborough was sentenced to four additional months in prison.

Louise Dutton, chair of the magistrates’ bench said: “This is so serious that only a custodial sentence can be justified.”

Shahid was also required to pay £150 compensation and a £154 surcharge.