A violent prisoner intended to kill himself when he held a bereavement counsellor against his will for several hours, a court heard.

Tony Suckling took the drastic action at Rochester Prison after being falsely told his fiancee had committed suicide.

The 27-year-old convicted robber went to the health care wing, grabbed Derek Dobson by the neck and threatened other staff with a glass coffee jar.

Now, Suckling, of Millfield, Hawkinge, has had three years added to the eight-year sentence he was serving for a string of robberies.

Suckling was jailed at Canterbury Crown Court in September 2011 and given an extended licence period of four years after a judge found he was a dangerous offender.

He was due to be moved to a lower category prison when on May 19 last year he held Mr Dobson hostage.

"he said (his victim) was a really nice guy and he felt proper sorry for what he put him through" – prosecutor martin yale

Maidstone Crown Court was told that after grabbing the victim, Suckling locked the door. At one point he smashed the coffee jar, leaving it with a jagged edge to use as a weapon.

During the four-hour incident he took Methadone from a cabinet and drank it as prison officers gathered outside the room.

“Mr Suckling had become drowsy from the Methadone and everybody hoped he would fall asleep and bring the situation to an end,” said prosecutor Martin Yale.

As riot squad officers burst in Suckling grabbed Mr Dobson in a headlock and held the glass to his throat, but he was overpowered.

He was admitted to hospital, where he cut his wrists with the razor blades.

He said he intended to kill himself by taking an overdose and had also hidden razor blades. He took a hostage, he said, to buy time to do it.

Rochester prison, where Suckling held a counsellor against his will

“He said Mr Dobson was a really nice guy and he felt proper sorry for what he put him through,” said Mr Yale. “He said he told him he was not going to harm him and he would get to see his wife and son that night.

“Mr Dobson expresses his compassion and empathy for Mr Suckling.”

Suckling had in 2004 been sentenced to four years youth custody with extended licence of three years for wounding with intent.

Passing sentence, Judge David Griffith-Jones QC said: “It goes without saying it must have been on any view the most terrifying ordeal for your victim, who you held for some hours.”