PRISON officers should not be targets for assault by inmates.

Those were the words of a HMP Berwyn officer after an inmate left her with facial injuries by assaulting her in the course of her duties.

Tyreece Clarke, who gave his address as HMP Berwyn, appeared at Wrexham Magistrates Court via video link from the prison on Tuesday morning.

The 24-year-old admitted one offence of assault by beating of an emergency worker.

Prosecutor Justin Espie told the court that on January 13, Clarke - who is serving an extended jail sentence at Berwyn - would not go back to his cell.

He struck out at Officer Lili Jones, causing bruising and swelling to her left eye, as well as a cut inside her mouth.

In her victim statement, which was read to the court by Mr Espie, she said: "The incident left me shocked - it was the first time I have been assaulted on duty.

RECOMMENDED READING

"I treated Clarke with respect and took my time to explain what was happening. Still, he behaved as he did.

"I knew he was going to do something.

"This was an eye-opener to me on the risks of my role.

"When it happened, I went into autopilot. But when I came out, it dawned on me the danger I was in.

"I stayed in work but I was too shaken to go back on the wing."

Ms Jones said the offence had "definitely changed" how she works in the prison, concluding: "Officers should not be used as targets by prisoners."

Clarke defended himself at the hearing.

He told the court: "During my time in custody - I've been in since 2018 - this is the first time I've assaulted an officer.

"It wasn't planned or pre-meditated. I have mental health issues, PTSD, anxiety and depression.

"And I was an enhanced prisoner.

The Leader:

"As I was being restrained, I felt like I was losing it. I heard keys and lashed out, honestly."

Deputy District Judge Lee Davies told the defendant: "This offence, as you're probably aware, is always treated very seriously by the courts.

"The purpose is to protect emergency workers such as Lili Jones in the situations they work in."

The Judge handed down a four week term of imprisonment, to run consecutive (in addition to) Clarke's ongoing sentence.