Murderer used self-made hook shank to inflict deep stab wounds on prison officer at HMP Garth
A murderer who stabbed an officer with a self-made weapon at a Lancashire jail has been handed an additional 12 years in prison.
Christopher Stubbs attacked the officer moments after morning unlock at HMP Garth in Ulnes Walton, near Leyland, on July 14, 2024.
Stubbs, who is already serving a life sentence for murder, struck the officer several times with a self-made hook shank, inflicting three deep puncture wounds to his torso and abdomen.
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The officer, a man in his 50s, was also punched in the head during the attack.
The incident happened after Stubbs’ cell was unlocked.
He was seen to burst out of his cell in an agitated state, run along the wing and produce the weapon from his waistband before launching the assault.
Several prison officers were needed to restrain Stubbs, who continued to lash out and also bit another officer during the struggle.
Lancashire Police launched an investigation and Stubbs was later charged following consultation with the Crown Prosecution Service.
At Preston Crown Court on Wednesday, December 18, a jury found the 30-year-old guilty of Section 18 wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, assault on an emergency worker and possession of a sharply pointed article inside a prison, following a three-day trial.
Stubbs, formerly of Teesside, was sentenced to 11-and-a-half years for the wounding offence and a further six months, to run consecutively, for biting the second officer.
He was also given a concurrent 12-month sentence for possession of the weapon.
The total 12-year sentence will run consecutively to the 24-year tariff of the life sentence Stubbs received for murder at Teesside Crown Court in 2016.
Stubbs refused to leave the court cells for sentencing and was sentenced in his absence.
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Detective Constable Paul Brown, of Skelmersdale CID, said: “This was a shocking and abhorrent attack on a prison officer by a serving inmate using a vicious self-made weapon.
“The judge hearing the case acknowledged the danger that prison officers face in doing their duty and the bravery they show when dealing with violent prisoners.
“It took several prison officers to restrain Stubbs, and the judge described him as acting like a rabid dog in trying to bite them.
“The length of the sentence imposed which was ordered to run consecutively to his tariff for the life sentence, shows the seriousness of the case.
“Stubbs is a violent and dangerous individual.”