Man charged over baby's death attacked in prison

The man is charged with assaulting and killing 15-month-old boy Ihaka Paora Braxton Stokes. Photo / Supplied

The man charged over the death of a Christchurch baby has been been involved in an altercation in prison.

The 22-year-old man, who has name suppression, appeared at Christchurch District Court last Thursday charged with assaulting and killing 15-month-old boy Ihaka Paora Braxton Stokes earlier this month.

It was understood the man was attacked by several inmates at Christchurch Men's Prison on Tuesday morning.

Natasha Possenniskie, acting regional commissioner for the southern region said Corrections could confirm that an altercation took place.

She said no prisoner required hospital treatment.

"Corrections manages some of New Zealand's most difficult and challenging citizens, violence is always a risk as many offenders resort to violent behaviour as a means of resolving issues and of expressing themselves.

"Prisoners can be volatile and unpredictable and many have long histories of antisocial behaviour.

"The Department will not tolerate prisoners using violence against staff or other prisoners, and when this does occur the prisoners involved will be held to account for their actions."

Police said the accused man was known to Ihaka, who suffered multiple blunt force injuries including broken bones in the alleged assault at a house in Truman Rd, Bryndwr on July 3.

Ihaka was transported to the accident and emergency department at Christchurch Hospital after being found unconscious and with unexplained injuries, and died shortly afterwards.

More than 42 people were interviewed by officers working on the homicide investigation codenamed Operation Truman.