A man who took part in a coordinated attack inside HMP Wayland has been sentenced after a jury was discharged in relation to other suspects. The victim suffered serious facial injuries when a piece of his nose was bitten off during the assault, and later required a skin graft, Norwich Crown Court was told.
What happened
Prosecutors say the incident occurred on 13 August 2019. The court heard that a group of prisoners entered the victim's cell in what was described as a "joint enterprise attack". As the assault began, one of those involved was reported to have said:
"do him"
Items including a DVD player, a laptop and a PlayStation were taken from the cell. As the group left, the victim was threatened with further violence if he informed staff, being told he would be "slashed up" if he "grassed".
Charges, trial and sentence
Ricky Minott, now 35 and currently held at HMP Bullingdon, pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm and robbery. He was sentenced to an extended 13-year term; the court was told the sentence reflected the planning and premeditation behind the attack. Judge Mark Dennis characterised the violence as "clearly premediated" though the reasons for it were said to be unclear.
Three other men had been due to stand trial in relation to the same incident: Darius Powlette (then 33), Sajid Khan (then 33) and Steven Bennion (then 30). The jury was discharged after the prosecution offered no evidence against those men.
Impact on the victim
Extracts from the victim's statements were read to the court. He described a fear for his life during the attack and the lasting physical and psychological effects. He required a graft taken from his neck to reconstruct the damaged nose. As he put it:
"I thought I was going to die"
"It has wrecked my life"
The victim reported feeling self-conscious about the injury.
Context and local implications
Incidents of organised violence within prisons raise concerns about inmate safety, contraband and the capacity of regimes to prevent coordinated assaults. The case highlights several issues of local relevance:
- The use of joint enterprise by prisoners to target individuals.
- The level of planning involved in cell raids and the theft of electronic goods.
- The lasting harm to victims, both physical and psychological.
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 13 August 2019 | Cell raid at HMP Wayland; victim assaulted and robbed |
| November (year unspecified) | Three men were due to stand trial but prosecution later offered no evidence |
| Recent hearing | Ricky Minott sentenced to extended 13-year term |
The sentence imposed on Minott was presented as a response to the premeditated nature of the assault and the severe consequences for the victim. The court documents and victim statements underline the personal cost of such attacks and underline ongoing questions about safety and discipline inside prisons.
