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Chatham thug Richard Tarrant's second jail sentence for razor blade attack on fellow prisoner at Elmley Prison on Sheppey

A "dangerous" thug has been give a second extended sentence for public protection in the space of a month after a vicious attack on a fellow prisoner.

Richard Tarrant was sentenced to six years with an extended licence period of two years on July 21 for a violent robbery.

Now he has been given eight years, with an extended licence of four years, for targeting another inmate using a toothbrush with two razor blades stuck in the end while on remand for the robbery offence.

Drug addict Richard Tarrant has been given a second extended sentence
Drug addict Richard Tarrant has been given a second extended sentence

The terms on the 29-year-old drug addict, formerly of Meadow Bank, Chatham, will run at the same time.

He will have to serve two-thirds of the latest sentence before the parole board will consider his release.

Maidstone Crown Court heard last month how Tarrant and Ilir Meta, 33, burst into a flat in Luton Road, Chatham, on June 15 last year and robbed Joshua Kingston of £260 while demanding drugs.

Tarrant was said to have held a golf umbrella "like a sword" as he and Meta bragged they "owned Luton Road". Meta, of Luton Road, was jailed for six years.

Tarrant had been recalled to Elmley Prison, Sheppey, and was on remand when on January 10 he used a toothbrush with two razor blades stuck in the end to slash Stephen Law twice across the face.

Elmley Prison on the Isle of Sheppey
Elmley Prison on the Isle of Sheppey

Prosecutor Dale Sullivan said the victim was using a phone when Tarrant, who has a paranoid personality disorder, launched the unprovoked attack.

Mr Law tried to fend him off and suffered a further cut to his wrist. Tarrant fled and flushed the weapon down a toilet. He later told prison officers: "I did it."

He admitted wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

Mr Law needed 40 stitches in the facial wounds and will be scarred for life.

Judge Jeremy Carey said should his sentence be reviewed by another court it would be assisted in seeing the photographs of the victim's injuries.

"It is a truly appalling injury," he said. "It will be highly visible for the rest of his life. The weapon was capable of causing death if applied to the right place, for example the neck."

Judge Jeremy Carey told Wild: "The victim must hate you for what you have done"
Judge Jeremy Carey told Wild: "The victim must hate you for what you have done"

He added: "The effect of the sentence is that you will not be released until the parole board assesses you are no longer a danger to the public.

"The issue of dangerousness is critical in your case. It is critical that you have treatment for your personality disorders. That can take place in the prison system."

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