A thug who attacked two prison officers during violence among inmates in a Sheppey jail has been sentenced to a further 18 months inside.

But Nathan Burton is unlikely to be freed at the end of the term as he is serving an indeterminate sentence for aggravated burglary, imposed almost 10 years ago.

The 33-year-old, of no fixed address, was one of 15 inmates who caused a disturbance at HMP Swaleside on September 7, 2015.

Burton, headbutted and bit prison officer Matthew Watson and also assaulted his colleague Simon Killick.

Sentencing him by video link between Maidstone Crown Court and Whitemoor Prison in March, Cambridgeshire, Judge Jeremy Carey said he was satisfied he was a ringleader in the violence, if not the main one.

“Prison officers do a difficult job and are entitled to expect a measure of protection,” he said.

“You have a bad record for offending, including aggravated burglary.

“Prison officers do a difficult job and are entitled to expect a measure of protection” - Judge Jeremy Carey

“There is clear evidence of violent tendencies which you have not yet got under control. You used a weapon – your head and teeth.”

He added: “This sentence is likely to expire before your release.”

Burton, who admitted assault causing actual bodily harm and common assault, asked: “If there were 15 other prisoners, why aren’t they being sentenced today?

"I am the only one who has been charged with an offence.”

After the hearing, Prisons Minister Sam Gyimah said: "I have been clear that violence against our prison staff will not be tolerated and offenders who do so should feel the full force of the law.

"We want to go further and faster in our crackdown on violence. We are working closely with the CPS to ensure that offenders face swift justice and that courts have full evidence of the harm caused, in order to impose the strongest possible punishment."