Prison officer left screaming in pain after feeling snap and crack during assault

A serving prisoner left a prison officer with a fractured spine after he began kicking out while complaining about conditions at the jail. The officer tried to grab hold of the inmate but inadvertently bent his body backwards, causing the injury. Levi Weekes, 25, was serving a sentence at HMP Parc in Bridgend and was unhappy at the prospect of being placed in a cell with an inmate who was using the drug spice, after a sniffer dog indicated suspicious activity in his cell. A sentencing hearing at Cardiff Crown Court heard a search was due to take place inside the defendant's cell on the morning of April 2, 2024. Make sure you never miss Wales’ biggest updates by getting our daily newsletter . While attempts were made to move Weekes to another cell, he kicked out at prison officer Steven Elford and hit him in the right leg above the knee. The defendant made an attempt to run past Mr Elford, but the officer attempted to grab him and take hold of him in a bear hug. During this manoeuvre, Mr Elford was bent backwards at the waist, and he described hearing a snapping and cracking feeling. The victim said he felt "indescribable pain" which was "off the scale". His colleagues attempted to restrain Weekes, who continued to swing out with his arms, as they heard Mr Elford screaming in pain. Mr Elford was taken to the Princess of Wales Hospital in Bridgend, where he was found to have suffered a fracture to his invertebrae just below the chest. The injury left him unable to work for a long period. Weekes, of no fixed abode, later pleaded guilty to assaulting an emergency worker. The court heard he has 21 previous convictions, including offences of racially/religiously aggravated assault, battery and assaulting emergency workers. In mitigation, Thomas Stanway said his client did not envisage or intend Mr Elford to suffer the injuries that he suffered. The defence barrister said his client had grievances about conditions in the prison, which was in special measures at the time of the assault, and was concerned about being placed with a prisoner who was smoking spice. Mr Stanway said his client did not feel his complaints were being concerned and he "jumped on the bars" in order to speak to the prison governor to raise his concerns. The court heard the defendant grew up in the care system, and had been subjected to serious assaults in prison including being stabbed after being transferred to HMP Swaleside in Kent. Recorder Greg Bull sentenced Weeks to a total of 12 months imprisonment. Get daily breaking news updates on your phone by joining our WhatsApp community here . We occasionally treat members to special offers, promotions and ads from us and our partners. See our Privacy Notice .