Corby witness stabbed in jail

John Ford

A prisoner who gave evidence at accused drug smuggler Schapelle Corby's trial in Bali has been stabbed in a Victorian jail, his ex-wife said.

John Patrick Ford, on remand in a Victorian prison charged with a range of offences, including rape and aggravated burglary, gave evidence at Corby's trial in late March.

Rita Ford said yesterday her ex-husband was slashed on the back with a blade by a prisoner and had since been placed in solitary confinement for his protection.

Corby was yesterday to hear a final statement by prosecutors at Denpasar District Court. The 27-year-old Gold Coast woman made no comment as police led her to a holding cell at the courthouse.

Indonesian prosecutors are expected to argue against defence claims that Bali police bungled their investigation.

Bali prosecutor Ida Bagus Wiswantanu has already called for Corby to be jailed for life.

Rita Ford said she believed the attack on her ex-husband was related to his high-profile role in Corby's defence. Ford told the court he overheard fellow prisoners saying Corby unwittingly carried a 4.1kg package of marijuana when an Australian-based drugs ring placed the package in her luggage.

"He's all right but it has really taken its toll since he came back [from Corby's trial]," she said.

"It's been really tough mentally and emotionally. He's back in solitary confinement now, and that means three-hour lockdowns, one visit a week and one phonecall a day."

A Corrections Victoria spokeswoman said Ford did not need hospital treatment. "He is not co-operating with corrections officials, not telling them what happened, and he has been moved to another part of the prison system."

Ford told Corby's trial the marijuana found in her bodyboard bag was placed there by criminals involved in a drug-trafficking ring operating at Australian airports.

Ford testified he had overheard two fellow prisoners laughing about how a crime boss' shipment of marijuana had gone missing between Brisbane and Sydney last year.

He said the drugs were owned by a Melbourne man, who vehemently denied the allegation. Ford will face trial later this month on charges of rape, aggravated burglary, threatening to kill, unlawful imprisonment and assault.

- AAP