Prisoner assaults officer ahead of parole release

The prisoner was being transferred from Rimutaka Prison in preparation for his parole release. Photo / NZPA

A prisoner transferring from Rimutaka Prison in preparation for his parole release has been given more jail for assaulting an officer at Otago Corrections Facility.

Appearing in the Dunedin District Court yesterday by audio visual link from the facility, Wiremu Tamahana Allen (33) accepted a sentencing indication and pleaded guilty to a Crimes Act assault charge.

He was convicted and sentenced to three months' jail, cumulative on the term he is serving.

The summary, from police prosecutor Tim Hambleton, said Allen was received at OCF, about 2pm on September 30, and searched.

Required to hand over his hat, a prohibited item, Allen refused and became verbally abusive and increasingly threatening during staff attempts to resolve the matter.

Feeling intimidated by Allen's behaviour, staff sought assistance.

The victim and other officers decided to forcibly remove him from the search room.

Allen positioned himself in a corner and stiffened his body, making it difficult for the officers to control him.

He was taken to the ground after a struggle.

Attempts were made to turn him on to his stomach for handcuffing.

During the attempts, Allen grabbed the victim's genitalia and pinched hard while shouting abuse.

His grip was broken after a few seconds when the victim moved.

Allen was restrained after a lengthy struggle in which he and three officers sustained minor injuries.

He was verbally abusive and threatening throughout the incident.

Judge John Macdonald took into account there had already been significant consequences for Allen, one being revocation of his parole release date.