TWO men have had their jail terms extended after assaulting prison officers.

Anthony Fitzgerald, 34, was sentenced to three months following an incident at Erlestoke prison on October 14 last year.

At approximately 9.30am, Fitzgerald lunged at a prison officer and punched him multiple times to the body and face causing cuts and bruising.

He pleaded guilty to assaulting an emergency worker and was sentenced to three months imprisonment on March 3 to run concurrent to the sentence he is already serving. He was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £122.

In a separate incident, Craig Walters, 37, was sentenced to 12 weeks imprisonment after he assaulted a prison officer at Erlestoke on June 4.

Walters had been aggressive during the day and abusive towards the prison officer. When he was ordered back to his cell, Walters refused and spat at the prison officer’s face and continued being abusive. He then struck the officer to the face several times and bit him on the arm.

The prison officer had to attend hospital as a result.

On March 5 he pleaded guilty to assault by beating and was ordered to serve 12 weeks imprisonment to run consecutively to his current sentence.

Sgt Pete Foster said: “This type of violence will simply not be tolerated, whether it is out on the streets or within the prison walls. The behaviour displayed by both of these individuals is unacceptable and I am pleased that the judge saw fit to impose custodial sentences.

“Both victims in these cases were simply carrying out their daily duties when they were assaulted. We will continue to work extremely closely with the prison service to ensure anyone committing this kind of violence will be put before the courts.”