Suffolk: Five Jailed After Prison Mutiny

21 February 2013, 16:05 | Updated: 21 February 2013, 16:14

Police were called to a disturbance at the young offenders institution in Hollesley, Suffolk after around 50 prisoners refused to return to their cells for the evening.

It started at around 7.30pm on Tuesday 2nd November 2010 and asked to assist with security surrounding the outer perimeter of the prison.

Additional prison officers were drafted in from around the country to assist with the outbreak, which finally ended at 5am the following day.

As a result of the prisoners actions a number of prison officers were injured and two of the units suffered thousands of pounds worth of damage.

The following were sentenced:

James Walsh (19) and formerly from Redcar was sentenced to two years in a YOI;

Daniel Davis (18) from Osborne Road, London was sentenced to 16 months in a YOI

Korie Hassan (20) from Windsor Road, Thornton Heath, Surrey was sentenced to 16 months in a YOI;

Hussein Abukah (20) formerly from London was sentenced to 16 months years.

All four had been found guilty of prison mutiny; and Ricardo Bartholomew-Clarke, aged 17 and of no fixed abode who was found guilty of violent disorder was sentenced to 8 months detention and training order.

A full investigation into the incident was carried out by the Norfolk and Suffolk Major Investigation Team; Detective Inspector Kevin Hayward from the team commented after sentencing, he said: “This was a long drawn out investigation, not least elongated due to the fact that following the mutiny, the people involved were moved to prisons around the country. Each of these people had to be spoken to and statements taken to establish exactly what happened on the night.

“Considerable damage had taken place at two of the units, with water damage, graffiti and general criminal damage. Coupled with this there was considerable cost incurred with locks having to be changed throughout the two units.

“We have worked closely with the Prison Service and Crown Prosecution Service to secure these convictions of the five involved and we welcome the sentences passed in court today.”

Warren Hill Governor Bev Bevan said: “Thanks to the professionalism of the prison officers involved in this disturbance, there was no risk to the public and the injuries sustained were minor.

“Incidents like this are rare but we are determined that when they do happen we will work with the police to bring those involved to justice.”