A PRISONER at HMP Berwyn has had his jail term extended after he threw a ‘foul liquid’ into the face of an officer.

Ricci Harvey appeared at Mold Crown Court on Friday, via video link from the prison.

The 30-year-old admitted assaulting prison officer Michael Swarbrick on June 3 last year.

Jade Tufail, prosecuting, told the court that on the day in question, Officer Swarbrick had been working on Harvey’s wing.

There had been a number of issues following complaints by Harvey about his desire to be taken to a segregation unit after hearing voices.

Officer Swarbrick answered his call bell and spoke to him through an observation panel, which was broken.

When he moved into view after a short discussion, Harvey threw an unknown liquid which hit the right side of the officer’s face.

It was brown in colour and foul smelling, Ms Tufail said, and caused the officer to feel sick.

He “perceived” it to be urine and faeces - but forensic testing didn’t confirm that.

After visiting the hospital for blood tests he returned to work the next day but was reluctant to answer call bells.

Myles Wilson, defending, said the sentence would have an impact on when he could be released.

“His latest release date is 2024 and he is still able to apply for parole next year,” he said, “but he’s not going to get it now because of this act.”

Judge David Hale told Harvey: “It must be very difficult serving a long sentence such as yours, and times when everything gets on top of you.

“That must be the explanation for reacting as you did on this day.

“You have to understand that Mr Swarbrick is just doing his job - a job that has to be done and you can’t just cause him the sort of agony you did.

“It wasn’t faeces, probably, but he reacted quite understandably as if it was.”

Judge David Hale handed Harvey four months imprisonment to run consecutive to the sentence he is presently serving.

“Never be tempted to do anything like this again,” he warned him.