Christopher Wilkins attacked an officer at HMP Swaleside

by Julia Roberts

A thug facing life behind bars fractured a prison officer's jaw and threw excrement and urine over him.

Christopher Wilkins lashed out while on the lifers' wing at HMP Swaleside in October last year.

He was serving an indeterminate sentence for public protection (IPP) imposed at the Old Bailey in December 2007.

Wilkins had been convicted of wounding with intent to c ause grievous bodily harm and assault causing actual bodily harm in what was believed to be a stabbing.

"throwing the urine and faeces over them was quite a disgusting act which no doubt caused fear over and above the repulsive nature of the act through the possible consequences of disease..." – judge philip st john. stevens

He was ordered to serve a minumum jail term of three-and-a-half years before being considered for parole, but has now been behind bars for more than five.

Maidstone Crown Court was told Wilkins had not been considered suitable for release at the time of his first assessment by the Parole Board - and his case is not due for another review until October next year.

The 28-year-old, who has other previous convictions for possession of an offensive weapon, racially aggravated common assault and robbery, was at the Isle of Sheppey prison when he attacked officer Michael Binning.

Mr Binning initially thought coffee had been thrown over him before noticing a smell of excrement, said prosecutor Martin Yale.

Following this attack, said to be known within prison as "potting", Wilkins blocked the door to his cell and then punched Mr Binning on his jaw.

"It sent him reeling backwards an he hit his head on the door, causing a cut above his right eyebrow," said Mr Yale. "He was bleeding and his jaw was tender."

As well as a fractured jaw, the prison officer suffered two broken teeth.

Wilkins admitted assault causing actual bodily harm and common assault to Mr Binning, as well as common assault on another prison officer, Jillian Webb, who was also covered in excrement.

The sentence was handed down at Maidstone Crown Court

Sentencing Wilkins to a total of 21 months, Judge Philip St John-Stevens said an aggravating feature of the case was the "gratuitous degradation" to prison officers carrying out their duty.

He added: "Throwing the urine and faeces over them was quite a disgusting act which no doubt caused fear over and above the repulsive nature of the act through the possible consequences of disease."

Andrew Higginson, defending, told the court any sentence would have ramifications on future assessments for parole.

"He is not optimistic about his chances," said Mr Higginson. "The convictions for these offences won't help him and he has a long way to go to prove he is not a risk of significant harm to the public."

Under his sentence, Wilkins - if ever released - would be subject to a longer licence period of 10 years.