Prisoner punched female officer in the head in unprovoked attack at Leeds jail

Mark Walker carried out the attack on the prison officer moments after he was involved in a fight with another inmate at HMP Wealstun.

Leeds Crown Court heard the officer went to intervene after there was an "altercation" between Walker and the other prisoner on D Wing on August 29 last year.

Carmel Pearson, prosecuting, said Walker was standing in the doorway of his cell when she got there and the other prisoner was being detained on the floor by one of her colleagues.

Miss Pearson said Walker was being aggressive and the officer managed to calm him down.

The attack on her took place as she was escorting him to another wing moments later.

The officer dropped something and bent down to pick it up as she was taking the inmate through some gates.

Walker punched her once to the forehead without warning.

"He hit her once and she felt pain to the forehead.

"A large lump emerged on her forehead."

Walker was detained by another officer.

The victim was off work for a month after the attack and suffered pain to her head, face and neck.

In a victim statement she described how she continues to feel anxious and had suffered a loss of confidence when dealing with issues at work.

Walker, 28, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

He has previous convictions for assault and drugs offences.

Phillip Morris, mitigating, said Walker had pleaded guilty at an early stage.

Mr Morris said Walker had lost his temper but added that the attack was not premediated.

He added: "Sadly for him his record reveals a degree of violence."

Walker was given an eight month sentence.

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