A MAN who attacked three prison officers in two days has been given more time behind bars.

Luke Donner, an inmate at HMP Manchester, appeared at Mold Crown Court for sentence on Thursday morning.

The 30-year-old had previously admitted two offences of assaulting an emergency worker and one of wounding/inflicting grievous bodily harm.

Matthew Dunford, prosecuting, told the court that all three offences happened at HMP Berwyn.

Whilst Donner was serving a sentence at the jail on May 27 last year, he assaulted Prison Officers Michael Elliot and Nicholas Davies.

On the day in question, officer Elliot approached the defendant about returning to his cell.

Donner became "agitated" and shouted "f*** this, I'm having half an hour."

The officer was concerned Donner was about to climb the railings, so made to usher him away, but the defendant punched him to the eye, then to the head and neck.

As Officer Davies came to help restrain him, all three ended up on the floor.
Donner then bit officer Davies' inside leg.

The defendant, who was unrepresented at the hearing, told the court he agreed with everything Mr Dunford said about the facts of the assaults.

A day later, on May 28, Prison Officer David Heathwood was conducting rounds of the segregation unit, where Donner had been placed.

The defendant asked if he would be "getting regime" on that day, and when told he wasn't, he lurched at the officer and headbutted him to the face and then struck him.

Officer Heathwood was left in "excruciating pain" due to a significant injury; including a deep wound to the middle of his forehead and a further deep wound to his cheekbone.

He attended the Countess of Chester Hospital for treatment.

In his statement, he said he initially said he was "fine," but when the reality of the crime set in, he realised the impact it had on his family too.

"It made me question if I should carry on," he said.

"The incident affected my role as a father, it destroyed my confidence.

"I'll carry the scars on my face for the rest of my life.

"I truly believe it didn't matter who opened the cell door - Donner would have assaulted anyone in a white shirt.

"I make this statement in the hope he realises the impact of his actions.

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"My colleagues and I work in an environment people couldn't imagine and we deserve to go home safe."

Officer Elliot said the assault left him feeling anxious and resulted in him having to take time off work.

"I come to work every day to help people," he said.

"I didn't expect to be assaulted by Donner, who I believed I had a good rapport with."

Mr Dunford told the court Donner has 25 previous court appearances on his record for a total of 42 offences; many of which related to violence.

In 2019, he received a 10 year jail sentence for wounding and threats with a blade.

Judge Niclas Parry told Donner: "You're clearly a dangerous and violent man. I need look no further than your previous convictions.

"You attacked three prison officers over two days.

"Attacks on prison officers strike at the very root of the purpose of prisons.

"They make operations even more difficult, and it is a particular problem in Berwyn Prison.

"They courts must do what they can to address that."

Giving the defendant credit for his guilty pleas, the Judge handed down a two year sentence to run consecutive (on top of) Donner's ongoing prison term.