A MAN has been given a hospital order after slashing the face of a HMP Berwyn inmate in a "tit-for-tat" attack.

James Prince, of no fixed abode, appeared via video link at Mold Crown Court on Monday morning.

The 30-year-old admitted one offence of wounding at a previous hearing; the incident having happened at HMP Berwyn on April 12 last year.

At the time, Prince was an inmate at the establishment - as was his victim, Dale Bailey.

Catherine Elvin, prosecuting, said Mr Bailey refused to make a statement about the attack - but Prince's actions were caught on camera.

He was seen to engage in conversation with the victim before removing his right hand from his pocket and striking the left side of Mr Bailey's face in a "slashing motion."

Prince ran back to his wing and Mr Bailey was treated by a nurse, before being referred to A&E where he received stitches.

The defendant admitted to the assault in conversations with prison officers, which was captured on bodycam.

MORE COURT NEWS

He said it had been "a cut for a cut" and confirmed he'd used a weapon of some kind and had "thrown it" after the attack.

Prince had five previous convictions for 11 offences.

Ms Elvin said psychiatrists on behalf of the defence and prosecution had assessed Prince and agreed the best course of action would be a hospital order, in order for him to receive treatment for his diagnosis of a serious mental disorder, paranoid schizophrenia, in a secure psychiatric setting.

Stephen McNally, defending, told the court: "There is little I can add; Your Honour has already identified the key features I'd wish to draw to the court's attention.

"The only thing I'd formally add is the guilty plea, which was entered at plea and trial preparation hearing stage.

"The Doctors appear to be in agreement - he has a recognised condition capable of being treated and there is a place available for him."

The Leader:

Judge Rhys Rowlands agreed, telling the defendant: "You became involved in some kind of dispute with another prisoner - a tit-for-tat attack in which you used a blade or improvised blade of some sort and struck him to the face.

"It left him with a nasty cut which had to be stitched.

"The reports make it entirely clear that you're suffering a serious mental disorder of a degree that it's appropriate for you to to be treated in hospital; where you are at present."

As such the Judge made a hospital order under section 37 of the Mental Heath Act.