by Julia Roberts

A furious inmate who saw red during a football match when the ref awarded a penalty has been locked up for 20 months.

Joel Smith, 18, repeatedly punched prison worker Stephen Keenan after he was dismissed in the game at Cookham Wood Young Offenders' Institution in Rochester in June.

Mr Keenan suffered a fractured cheekbone which required surgery. He also sustained a fractured sinus.

Smith, who was behind bars at the time for robbery and violence against a prison riot officer, later told police he was "frustrated" by the ref's decision and reacted in the spur of the moment.

Maidstone Crown Court heard he verbally abused Mr Keenan when he gave a penalty to the opposition during the early evening match on June 3.

A goal having been scored, Smith, of Stonecroft Way, Croydon, then kicked the ball away in anger and was duly sent off.

It was at this point that he lashed out at Mr Keenan. CCTV footage of the incident was played in court.

Prosecutor Gareth Nicholl said: "As Mr Keenan walked towards the centre circle the defendant approached him from behind, punching him and causing serious injury."

As Mr Keenan tried to defend himself Smith followed him to the end of the pitch, repeatedly punching him to the face.

Smith admitted inflicting grievous bodily harm and was locked up for 20 months.

But the court was told he is unlikely to remain behind bars any longer than his current extended sentence of five years detention and two years on licence for robbery of a jewellers'.

That sentence was imposed in December last year. Three months later Smith was locked up for a further 12 months concurrent after fracturing the jaw of a prison riot squad officer in Bristol.

At the hearing Judge Philip Statman, who described the attack as "shameful", was told Smith's earliest possible release date is September 19 next year.

"It will be for the prison authorities to determine how this sentence will affect that," he commented.

The court was told that Smith is now in nearby Rochester Young Offenders'.

Kate Round, defending, said at the time of the attack on Mr Keenan, Smith was anxious about being transferred to a more adult environment once he turned 18.

He was also upset as his mother had not turned up for a visit.

Miss Round added that Smith, who was brought up in care and has several previous convictions for robbery, was "disgusted with himself" and had since received help controlling his temper.

Passing sentence Judge Statman referred to a letter Smith had written to the court.

"You indicate you are not a violent man," he remarked. "That may be slightly incorrect.

"It seems to me that you have a violent temper and it is one you need to sort out."

The judge also added that he disagreed with defence counsel's argument that Mr Keenan's injury was not, according to sentencing guidelines, considered "serious or grave".

"This case falls outside the guidance that I am asked to look at and I take the view that it is necessary to mark what you have done on your record and to indicate to those in custody that the court are going to protect prison staff."