Berwyn inmates carried out "revenge" attack on murderer

The Leader reported in February how Oliver Wilkinson, of Ffordd Llandygai in Llandygai, appeared at Wrexham Magistrates Court alongside co-defendant Dayle Owens, who gave his address as HMP Parc.

Both men admitted one offence of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, which took place at HMP Berwyn on February 27 last year, against Jamie Mitchell.

Wilkinson, 33, appeared at Caernarfon Crown Court for sentence on Thursday.

Karl Scholz, prosecuting, told the court that at the time of the offence, both defendants and the victim were all detained at HMP Berwyn.

Just after 2.15pm on the day of the attack, Wilkinson and Owens launched a "joint targeted and sustained attack" on Mitchell.

Mr Scholz said: "The motive appears to have been revenge."

The root of that revenge, the court heard, was the fact that Mitchell had been remanded in custody after being charged with the murder of Wilkinson's cousin - a crime he has since been convicted for and is serving a life sentence.

During the attack, which happened as the victim made his way to a workshop in the prison, Mitchell was curled up in a ball on the floor as the defendants kicked, punched and stamped on his head and body.

Officers who caught sight of the incident heard one of the defendants shouting "murderer" and described the intensity of the assault as "horrendous."

Mr Scholz said one officer in particular feared that if someone had not intervened, Mitchell "might well have been killed."

Once the assault had been stopped, Wilkinson shouted "murdering c***, look at you now."

The victim was left with bruising and swelling to his lip, as well as a cut to his head which required gluing.

He refused to cooperate with police proceedings against Owens and Wilkinson.

When interviewed, Wilkinson admitted punching the victim, but said he'd "blacked out" and couldn't remember what he had done.

Alexandra Carrier, defending, told the court: "It is accepted this was a prolonged incident.

"In the pre-sentence report, Your Honour may have noted a lack of remorse in there.

"I've spoken to Mr Wilkinson about that and he's found it difficult.

"He struggles to have remorse for Mr Mitchell given the background to this case - it's unique.

"Mr Mitchell murdered his cousin.

"He (Wilkinson) made it clear to the prison he shouldn't have been near Mr Mitchell."

But, Ms Carrier said, a mistake had been made which saw the two come face-to-face.

"That's not an excuse for the behaviour," she added.

"But it does offer an explanation.

"It's a very unusual set of circumstances."

Judge Nicola Saffman told the defendant: "Jamie Mitchell has now been convicted of murdering your cousin and is serving a life sentence.

"At the time, he was on remand.

"You assaulted him by punching kicking.

"It was a prolonged, persistent assault."

Judge Saffman handed down a sentence of 16 months, but suspended it for two years, telling Wilkinson: "I am satisfied the community at large will be better served if you're rehabilitated."

The defendant must undertake 150 hours of unpaid work and participation in an accredited programme for building better relationships, as well as 12 days of rehabilitation activity.

An emotional Wilkinson told the Judge: "Thank you very much, Your Honour."

Dayle Owens is due to appear in court later this month to be sentenced for his involvement in the incident.