Brian Sole used an improvised bladed weapon fashioned from two razor blades in the attack as both were leaving the B-wing dining room, at Frankland Prison, Durham, shortly after noon on November 6, 2023.
Durham Crown Court heard that the unwary victim was leaving the dining area when he felt a hand on his shoulder and then realised he had been cut.
Chris Baker, prosecuting, said a prison officer saw Sole run towards the other inmate and strike him around the neck from behind.
(Image: Essex Police/The Northern Echo) The victim shouted: “He’s cut me”, before Sole jumped onto a pool table and brandished his “knife”.
He was restrained by officers and the weapon, a toothbrush with two blades inserted, was recovered from him.
The officers turned their attention to the injured man, who was seen to have a long wound around his neck.
Blood was still pumping from the cut, particularly at the side of the neck.
Nursing staff took over and the victim was taken to hospital by ambulance.
Mr Baker said the wound, an 8in laceration round the neck, was said to have caused superficial injuries to muscle and left a nerve exposed.
It was cleaned and closed, but the victim is likely to suffer permanent scarring.
Mr Baker said another officer working provided some background about Sole’s behaviour while on B-wing.
He had been there for three months at the time on basic regime having shown “poor behaviour”.
(Image: Essex Police) Mr Baker said the defendant was described as “unpredictable”, with a history of violence, and was known to take illicit substances, being “heavily involved” in the drug culture at the prison.
Sole initially claimed the other prisoner had been threatening and he, “had to” carry out the attack.
But when interviewed by police he made no replies to police questions.
In a victim statement the wounded prisoner said he was “shocked” something like this had happened to him, and he was relying on friends on the wing to support him.
He has also asked for counselling from the medical health team at the prison.
Asked what may have been the motive, he replied: “I have no idea why Brian did this.
“I think he was just planning on attacking anyone that day.”
He said after having his Covid injection he suffered panic attacks and just going back to prison made him feel really ill.
Mr Baker said the inmate described waking every morning thinking, “what happened, and, what could have happened.”
He added that he tried a slow breathing technique after the attack, but he has been unable to return to the gym or to the trade workshop due to the risk with tools being present.
Mr Baker said Sole, 35, originally from Convey Island, Essex, admitted charges of wounding with intent and unauthorised possession in prison of a bladed article, on the day he was to have stood trial, in September, once it was confirmed he was “fit to plead”.
He was said to have 15 past convictions for 61 offences, including five for assault and four for carrying a bladed weapon.
(Image: The Northern Echo) They include having an offensive weapon in a school, battery and, for aggravated burglary, with an offensive weapon, he received an 11-year prison sentence, with a four-year licence extension upon release, imposed in 2017.
Mr Baker told Recorder Dafydd Enoch that he had the power to make the latest sentence consecutive to the 11-year sentence now being served.
Naomi Duckworth, for the defendant, said he was under no doubt it was, “a serious offence for which he faces a custodial sentence of considerable length.”
Miss Duckworth said the defendant’s earliest release date, prior to the latest offence, will be in 2028.
“He has complex psychological and personal issues.
“It would have had an impact on his actions.
“We do have an expert’s report saying it would have played into his culpability in this offending, relating to his disorders and personal characteristics.
“He’s a man profoundly aware of his past mistakes and has an insight into his past offending and substance misuse, having sought psychological intervention.”
Miss Duckworth said the defendant, who appeared at court via video link from HMP Durham, has seen his medication increased since his transfer from Frankland, and has received the help he needs.
Recorder Enoch told Sole he was already serving an 11-year sentence and would have been aware of, “the serious consequences” of trying to slash the neck of another inmate.
He said such an attack could not be allowed to go, “unmarked”.
“It’s a matter of pure luck that that gentleman did not receive a life-threatening injury.
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“You caused an 8in laceration round his neck and left a nerve exposed, leaving him with permanent scarring and, no doubt, the psychological effect that goes with that.”
Recorder Enoch added a further six years to the sentence as he finds the defendant to be, “a dangerous offender”.
But the Recorder said he was only permitted to add a one-year extension to the post prison licence period as the defendant already faces four years’ licence for his previous offending.