Prisoner Assaults Prison Officers at HMP Parc in Bridgend
A serving prisoner at HMP Parc in Bridgend, Alan Arthur, aged 51, committed a series of assaults on prison officers, including throwing scalding hot water at an officer and racially abusing another. Arthur, originally serving a 29-month sentence for burglary, physically assaulted three officers by headbutting one and punching the other two.
The incidents occurred on May 9, 2023, at the prison’s segregation unit, where Arthur, in a volatile mood, was causing a disturbance. Concerned for everyone’s safety, the decision was made to bring his food to his cell. As two officers delivered his meal, Arthur threw boiling water from a polystyrene cup at one officer’s back and neck, causing significant injuries.
Following this incident, on May 24, 2023, Arthur threatened officers in the exercise yard, making violent statements and racial slurs. He then physically attacked the officers, headbutting a male officer and punching two female officers. The assaults were described as severe, with one officer likening the impact to being hit by a car.
After the violent outburst, which included racial abuse towards one officer, Arthur pleaded guilty to several charges, including attempting to cause grievous bodily harm, racially aggravated harassment, and assault on emergency workers. The court heard of his extensive criminal record, with 193 previous convictions for various offences.
During the sentencing at Newport Crown Court, one of the officers affected by Arthur’s attacks described the psychological impact, highlighting anxiety and fear of returning to work. The officer expressed the vile nature of the language used by Arthur during the assaults.
In mitigation, Arthur’s defence counsel mentioned his client’s struggles with medication and mental health issues at the time of the offences. However, it was noted that Arthur had not been involved in any further incidents while in custody.
Judge Carl Harrison handed down a sentence of four years and six months imprisonment, with a further two years on licence. The sentence reflects the severity of Arthur’s actions and aims to protect both prison staff and other inmates from further harm.
This case serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by prison officers in maintaining safety and order within correctional facilities. The incident underscores the importance of addressing mental health issues and providing adequate support for prisoners to prevent similar violent outbursts in the future.