Littlehey jail mutiny pair given longer sentences

Two convicted criminals who attacked prison officers and held a mutiny inside their jail have been handed longer sentences.

Scott Taylor, 22, and Ali Njie, 22, were already serving sentences in HMP Littlehey near Huntingdon when they decided to target prison officers and cause disruption on 'I' wing, Cambridgeshire Police said.

On January 10, Taylor came out of his cell with a boiling kettle without the lid and walked towards three prison officers.

A police spokesman added: "He then shouted 'does anyone want any water?' before throwing the boiling water over one officer.

"Taylor and Njie assaulted both officers before arming themselves with wooden legs they had ripped off chairs.

"They also began throwing chairs at the officers, which resulted in an officer's finger being broken."

Extra riot trained officers were called in to deal with the trouble but Taylor and Njie continued to fight them.

Taylor had denied prison mutiny, three counts of actual bodily harm and one count of grievous bodily harm with intent but was convicted following a two-week trial at Peterborough Crown Court.

Njie was convicted of prison mutiny, two counts of actual bodily harm and one count of grievous bodily harm with intent following the trial.

Taylor was serving an indefinite sentence at the prison for attempted murder and actual bodily harm at the time.

Njie was serving four years for rape and robbery.

Taylor was yesterday given a six-and-a-half year sentence while Njie was sentenced to five-and-a-half years.

They will serve these sentences after completing their previous terms.

Detective Constable Sue Swales said: "This was a nasty attack which resulted in four prison officers being injured.

"This is the first time we've charged or convicted for prison mutiny in Cambridgeshire and this is because both Taylor and Njie were intent on defying authority by the prison officers.

"It means that two dangerous individuals will remain behind bars for a long time."

David Taylor, governor at HMP Littlehey, said: "This is a good outcome after the shocking and violent outburst at Littlehey.

"The convictions are to the credit of the Prison Service, Cambridgeshire Constabulary and the Crown Prosecution Service who worked closely to ensure that these offenders were held to account for their criminal behaviour."

PA