A man who sprayed a prison officer with detergent has had another three weeks added to his jail term as a result of his actions.
Inmate Thomas Baker (38), of Invercargill, appeared before Judge John Brandts-Giesen in the Invercargill District Court today, where he admitted assaulting a prison officer at the prison on July 16.
“The defendant then laughed at the victim stating he though it was funny.”
The prison officer told Baker he would press charges, to which the defendant replied he didn’t care, the summary states.
As a result of the incident the prison officer felt a burning sensation on his face, received a sore eye and went home early as a result.
Baker’s lawyer Jono Ross said Baker believed there was water in the container at the time and that he only sprayed the back of the prison officer’s head and shoulder.
As Baker had been dealt with internally at the prison by losing privileges and being put in isolation, Mr Ross said any further punishment would be like double jeopardy.
Judge Brandts-Giesen said prison officers were entitled to be protected by the court and be safe from attacks, even if they were light-hearted.
In sentencing him to three weeks' jail, to be added on to his term which ends on September 28, the judge said he needed to, “bring it home to you and others that you can not get away with this type of nonsense”.
- Karen Pasco, PIJF court reporter
-karen.pasco@odt.co.nz
