Teen offender grabbed guard by the neck at Polmont YOI

A violent encounter inside the walls of Polmont Young Offenders Institute left a prison officer injured after an inmate tried to head butt him before grabbing him by the throat.
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Ryan Ramsden (19) had been involved in a scuffle with other prisoners which guards were called into break up. When he was separated from the trouble, he continued to act in a violent manner, trying to attack prisoners once more, and then lashed out at a member of staff.

appeared at Falkirk Sheriff Court on Thursday having pleaded guilty to the assault to injury he committed at Polmont YOI on September 3 last year.

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Procurator fiscal depute Rachel Wallace said: “It was 3pm and a fight broke out between prisoners which resulted in staff intervening. The prisoners were separated and removed.

Ramsden tried to head butt a prison officer during an altercation at Polmont Young Offenders InstitutionRamsden tried to head butt a prison officer during an altercation at Polmont Young Offenders Institution
Ramsden tried to head butt a prison officer during an altercation at Polmont Young Offenders Institution

"As the accused was being ushered back to his room he managed to back away from staff and target another prisoner. The staff alarm was raised and staff attended to assist.

“The accused was secured and while he was returning to his room he tried to head butt a prison officer. The officer stepped back in anticipation of the the strike, however, in doing this the accused then stepped forward and grabbed him by the throat.

"The accused was taken to the floor by staff and he continued to resist and remain non compliant. He was relocated to segregation and placed on report. The member of staff suffered scratches to his neck.”

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Murray Aitken, defence solicitor, told the court Ramsden had been released from his custodial sentence at the end of January and is now subject to a supervised release order which expires on September 30.

Sheriff Derek Livingston said: “Anyone who assaults a prison officer should expect a custodial sentence, but your report is very positive and you are still not even 20 years of age.”

He placed Ramsden on a supervised community payback order for two years and made him subject to a restriction of liberty order, meaning he will have to stay in his 64 Brodie Avenue, Dumfries home between 7pm and 7am for the next four months.