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Teen thug knocked prison officer out in revenge attack at Cookham Wood in Rochester

A teenage thug knocked a prison officer out for 15 minutes in a revenge attack at a young offenders’ institution, a court heard.

Ilyas Hussein was angry about privileges, including TV time, being taken away and claimed prison officer James Aitken had bullied him.

The 19-year-old, who was serving a 12-month sentence at Cookham Wood in Rochester for robbery, was being supervised with other inmates when he ran at Mr Aitken and punched him.

Cookham Wood Young Offenders Institution
Cookham Wood Young Offenders Institution

The attack on July 1, which was captured on CCTV cameras, was witnessed by the victim’s wife, who is also a prison officer.

Mr Aitken, a prison officer for 25 years, was left with a black eye and other bruising, and now suffers from bad headaches, depression and post-traumatic stress.

Hussein, of Elephant and Castle in London, was near the end of his sentence but will now serve a further 18 months after admitting assault causing actual bodily harm.

Robert De Banzie, prosecuting, told Maidstone Crown Court Mr Aitken and another officer had gone to Hussein’s cell to tell him he was getting a further four days “basic” with no television privileges for fighting.

Maidstone Crown Court. Picture John Wardley
Maidstone Crown Court. Picture John Wardley

In interview, the inmate said that when he protested, Mr Aitken increased the period to seven days. He also claimed the officer tried to goad him into punching him and returned later with other officers and made threats.

Hussein alleged he was punched by Mr Aitken and he and other officers tried to break his wrists. He claimed Mr Aitken blew him a kiss as he left the cell. He admitted vowing to get the officer when he was on his own.

Mr Aitken said in a statement: “While I would like to return to work, I am frightened at the prospect. It has affected my mental state.”

Judge Philip St John-Stevens told Hussein: “I am satisfied you took this opportunity as an act of revenge. It was a single punch with significant effect.

“The officer was rendered unconscious for approximately 15 minutes.”

The judge added that an attack on a public servant increased the seriousness of the offence.

“Prison officers have a demanding and difficult job which can be dangerous at times,” he said.

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