By C1 Staff
DORCHESTER, UK — A Dorchester inmate appeared in court to face a charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm in relation to an attack on a prison officer on Sept. 6, 2014.
The Dorset Echo reports that Sidney Cain Howitt received eight months for the attack that knocked the officer out cold. He lashed out at the officer while being moved to another cell at HMP Portland YOI.
“The last thing [the officer] remembers is being outside the cell from which Mr. Howitt was being moved before waking up on the floor with injuries and covered in blood,” said Prosecutor Stuart Ellacot.
Another prison officer was present during the event, but did not witness the actual blow. However, he did see the victim fall, striking railings on his way down.
The officer said that Howitt then ‘pranced around with his arm in the air as if he was a boxer having won a boxing match.’
Howitt admitted to the attack but denied the celebratory dance; he instead claimed he was waving for help.
The wounded officer was treated by paramedics at the correctional facility before being transported to a nearby hospital, where he was given five stitches to the back of his head. He also suffered swelling to his face and jaw.
Howitt is currently serving five years and eight months on a drug importation offense. The additional eight months for the attack will be served consecutively to his current sentence.