Isle of Wight prison officer headbutted by inmate

Ethan Owen, of HMP Parc in Wales, attended the IW Magistrates’ Court via videolink on Tuesday, October 1, and pleaded guilty to assault by beating an emergency worker.

Lauren McConnell, prosecuting, said the victim, a prison officer at the HMP Albany site, was informed that Owen was out of his cell and on the landing on the afternoon of October 15, 2023.

Ms McConnell told the court Owen was ‘reduced to basics’ following a previous incident, which meant he could not leave his cell after midday.

Court heard how the officer and a colleague found the 30-year-old and told him to return to his cell, which led Owen to initially protest before complying.

He was escorted back by the officers, but before reaching the cell, where other prisoners were, Owen began shouting and became abusive, said Ms McConnell.

Owen was taken to the floor and restrained after he headbutted one of the prison officers, the court heard.

Ms McConnell said Owen was serving an approximate four-year prison sentence for a previous sexual offence.

Michael McGoldrick, defending, said it had been almost 12 months since the offence, and, through no fault of his client, this was Owen’s first hearing.

Mr McGoldrick told the court that Owen was unclear on what being ‘reduced to basics’ meant and was unaware he was doing anything wrong by being out of his cell.

Owen felt "humiliated" passing the other prisoners while being escorted back to his cell, and when an officer put his hand on him, he lashed out, magistrates were told.

Mr McGoldrick added that his client is “apologetic and remorseful” and has never had any previous issues with prison officers.

Owen, who was released halfway through his sentence but recalled at the time of the hearing, was punished by the prison for his actions, seeing him placed in segregation, which limited his out-of-cell time, including courtyard privileges.

Magistrates ordered Owen to pay his victim £300 in compensation.