A PRISONER who broke the jaw of the governor of Long Lartin Prison has been given a ten-year prison sentence.

David McKenzie, aged 50, had admitted grievous bodily harm but denied grievous bodily harm with intent following the attack upon Clare Pearson at the prison near Evesham on Friday, May 25 last year.

But after deliberating for close to three hours, a jury at Worcester Crown Court found McKenzie guilty of grievous bodily harm with intent, on a 10-2 majority decision.

While he was being sentenced, Mckenzie hurled abuse at Judge Tindal and had to be led out of the dock.

Prosecutor Adam Western told the court that the assault left Ms Pearson with a jaw broken in two places, leading to “significant and enduring pain,” requiring four hours of surgery, three internal plates and a large number of internal and external stitches.

She had described the attack as “an assault on the authority of my office” and a “blight on the criminal justice system”.

The court heard Mckenzie had 62 previous convictions since 1981 for offences including wounding, armed robbery and burglary.

In February 1997, he had been sentenced to ten years following a series of armed robberies in Northampton.

Jack Triggs, defending, said McKenzie had suffered an abusive childhood, had started using cannabis aged 10, alcohol and solvents aged 12, and later started taking Class A drugs.

DC Andy Knowles said: “This was an abhorrent assault of the governor of HMP Long Lartin, who was simply doing her job. I am pleased we were able to put a case together to charge and subsequently secure a conviction against McKenzie for his actions.

“Prison staff, like everyone else have the right to work safely and without threat of violence.”