A prisoner suffered a fractured skull and a bleed to the brain after being struck with a riot shield by a prison guard at HMP Parc in Bridgend county, a court has heard. Michael Hastie-Davies, 25, was injured on 7 August 2016 during an incident in the prison's exercise yard.
David Potts, 25, of Coity, denies grievous bodily harm (GBH) with intent and GBH at Newport Crown Court. Another officer, Nathan White, 28, of Maesteg, denies assault occasioning actual bodily harm and common assault against another prisoner, Ryan Madden.
The prosecution alleges that the officers assaulted the inmates with their shields while they were lying on the floor of the yard during an attempt to return them to their cells. The court heard that Hastie-Davies, Madden, and another inmate had been allowed into the yard but refused to leave when asked, as their full yard allowance had not finished.
Ruth Smith, prosecuting, said the prisoners stayed in the yard for about an hour and were seen on CCTV knocking on windows to come back in. The prison service decided they would have to be forcibly removed, and nine officers in protective clothing were sent. The prisoners laid down to show they were not a threat, but the alleged assaults occurred within seconds.
Hastie-Davies later spent four days in hospital with a fractured skull. Both Potts and White told police they feared the prisoners might be armed and had been instructed to use force if necessary. Potts admitted striking Hastie-Davies but argues the force used was reasonable and lawful.
