'Bruised and shaken' - Inmate at HMP Guys Marsh used cell door as a weapon to assault guard

Weymouth Magistrates Court heard how inmate Scott Colin Vanbeck assaulted prison officer Carolyn Steane at around 4pm on February 2 this year at HMP Guys Marsh, Shaftesbury.

Vanbeck, aged 36, was heard on video link and admitted assault by beating a prison officer in his prison cell.

Prosecutor Andrew Newman said: "It was around 3.45pm when prison officer Carolyn Steane and another guard warned the prisoners they were 'tossing the cells', which involves guards searching the prison cells for banned items and substances.

"Guards at the prison were pre-warning prisoners due to Covid-19 social distancing rules at the time.

"When officer Steane entered the cell of the defendant the door was flung at her face, which caused swelling and bruising to her face.

"She then fell to the floor and felt very shaken. The defendant then swore at her. Using the door in that sort of manner is to legally use it as weapon."

Since the assault, Vanbeck has been moved to HMP Dartmoor in Devon.

Mitigating, Lee Christmas said: "During his time at HMP Guys Marsh, he got on well with prison staff. The victim has come out and said she got on well with him before and after the assault.

"At that time, the defendant was in isolation. He had been threatened by other inmates.

"He kicked the door at the guard because he thought it was the other inmates entering his cell.

"He did plead guilty at the first opportunity and he's set to be released from prison February 2023."

Chairman of the bench, Mike Davis, said: "Prison officers do not join the ranks to be assaulted and receive injuries.

"The offence of assaulting a prison officers warrants an 18-week prison sentence added to your current sentence, but due to pleading guilty at the first opportunity we will reduce the sentence to 12 weeks."

Vanbeck was sentenced to 12 weeks imprisonment to be served after his current sentence.

He must pay £100 compensation to the victim.