A PRISONER serving 12 years for grievous bodily harm spat in the face of two prison officers who were left worried about getting Covid.

Tanveer Kasim appeared over videolink at Worcester Magistrates Court on Thursday where he admitted both assaults on emergency workers at HMP Long Lartin at South Littleton, near Evesham.

The 29-year-old carried out one attack on April 1 this year and the second on May 27 this year.

Mark Hambling, prosecuting, said it was around 11.45am when prison officer Connor Anderson attended Kasim's cell to provide a meal. He said: "They open up the cell and Mr Anderson steps in. This gentleman is in the middle of the cell. He spits in the face of the prison officer and quickly retreats to the back wall of the cell."

The second assault took place against Andrew Bailey, another prison officer, at around 2.40pm on May 27 as the defendant was collected from his cell.

Mr Hambling said: "He collects this gentleman from his cell and he is calm. He's on his way to a review with the prison. There's no confrontation. It appears Mr Kasim is agitated and he's seeking his medication."

However, Kasim is told that is not an option and he must be returned to his cell.

"Without warning, having returned him to his cell, Mr Kasim spits through the hatch of the cell door into the prison officer's face. He's wearing a face covering but the spit lands in his eyes and on his forehead," said Mr Hambling.

He added: "Both prison officers mention the obvious worry which is Covid."

Mr Hambling made no request for compensation because he said Kasim would not be in a position to pay it.

Kasim has previous convictions for assaulting emergency workers. He was sentenced on January 17 last year to 12 years in prison following a conviction for grievous bodily harm.

This was an extended prison sentence which mean it is for the Parole Board to decide when he is suitable for release.

Magistrates imposed a four week concurrent prison sentence which means it will run alongside the sentence he is already serving. The effect is that the sentence for the assaults on the prison officers will have no impact on the length of time Kasim spends in prison. He was told he would have to pay a £128 charge when he leaves prison.