A long-term inmate has admitted a series of serious assaults on fellow prisoners and jail staff at two different custodial establishments.
Kyle Roberts was warned by a judge at Durham Crown Court that he should expect to receive, “a sentence of some length”, when he learns his fate next month.
It follows the defendant’s ‘guilty’ pleas to three different sets of offences, including the attempted murder of a fellow inmate at HMP Frankland, the top security establishment on the outskirts of Durham.
The first of the incidents admitted by Roberts was a serious assault on another inmate while serving a sentence at Nottingham Prison, on December 13, 2020.
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He pleaded guilty to a charge of wounding with intent in an appearance at Nottingham Crown Court, on March 31, last year.
The subsequent incidents took place after his transfer to Frankland, in the aftermath of the incident at Nottingham.
Appearing by video link from HMP Wakefield, in West Yorkshire, where he is now being held, Roberts admitted the charge of attempted murder, at a hearing at Durham Crown Court, on January 6.
The attack, on December 29, 2021, involved punching and stabbing the victim in a cell with a makeshift weapon, causing injuries to his head and face.
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In a further video link appearance from HMP Wakefield, on Friday (January 13), the 36-year-old defendant admitted attempting to cause grievous bodily harm with intent on a prison officer at Frankland, on February 1, 2022.
He also admitted a further charge of assault causing actual bodily harm, relating to a female officer, arising from the same incident at Frankland.
Following the latest admissions, prosecuting counsel, Robin Patton, said: “We are now in a position where he has pleaded to all counts he faces and we can proceed to sentence.”
Judge James Adkin said there were two psychiatric reports on Roberts which were prepared in relation to the Nottingham case.
David Outterside, representing Roberts, said the defendant was “under a doctor”, assigned to him since his move to HMP Wakefield.
“We thought it might be useful for him (the doctor) to put something in writing as to where he’s (Roberts) at, at the moment.
“It would just need to be a letter to let us know where we are at.”
Agreeing, Judge Adkin adjourned passing sentence until February 17.
Addressing the defendant, Judge Adkin said: “You have now pleaded guilty in relation to all matters and you’ll receive credit for those pleas.
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“But you must anticipate that it will be a sentence of some length when you are sentenced on February 17.
“The exact type and length of that sentence will be determined then.”
Roberts was remanded to remain in custody pending sentence next month.
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