Southsea man thrown out of court - then thrown into jail - after assaulting a prison officer

A man accused of attacking a prison officer has been thrown out of court for calling his charges 'lies'.

Omar Abdullah, 25 of Grayshott Road in Southsea, pleaded guilty to one count of assaulting an emergency worker and two counts of assault.

Despite pleading guilty, he insisted via his interpreter that Portsmouth Magistrates' Court needed to review the CCTV today (Friday, April 24) - but was told that would not be necessary for sentencing.

Abdullah said: "This is totally an injustice, you need to prove everything you say."

His solicitor, Howard Barrington-Clark, warned him that he would be removed from the courtroom if he continued with his outbursts, and the case would continue in his absence.

Abdullah had pleaded guilty in court to assaulting the prison officer on January 13 this year, and pleaded guilty to the other two counts on October 29 last year.

The court heard how on May 24, 2022, at HMP Winchester, he attacked a prison officer called Kiera Dolke as she tried to bring him lunch. When she tried to leave his cell, he grabbed her by the back of the head.

She managed to push him away but Abdullah lunged forwards and took hold of her. It took three orderlies to free her, the prosecution added. In a victim impact statement, Ms Dolke told the court she has since been diagnosed with PTSD, and no longer works for HM Prison Service.

Abdullah said: "This is lies. I'm not guilty, you can see in the video.

"I don't understand - when did this happen? This never happened, it's all lies."

At this point, Abdullah was removed from the court by security officers, and taken to the cells downstairs. The evidence then continued in his absence.

The other two counts of assault related to a separate incident at Southampton Railway Station on August 18 last year.

Defending, Mr Barrington-Clark said: "I have to accept that the assault of an emergency worker crosses the custody threshold. But the offence is nearly four years old.

"His reaction to the situation has been inappropriate. Obviously it went haywire - I've watches the CCTV footage.

"The railway incident probably doesn't cross the custody threshold. I think it's vital that he does get help via rehabilitation days."

At this point, Abdullah was returned to the dock for sentencing.

Lead magistrate Sian Bamber said: “This offence is so serious that only an immediate custodial sentence can be justified.”

He was sentenced to 26 weeks in custody, and ordered to pay £500 in compensation to the former prison officer.